Exactly one month after the escalation of violence in the Middle East, the full extent of the damage to human lives, infrastructure, economy, and livelihoods is becoming painfully clear.    Isa Saba, General Secretary of Gaza YMCA, told the World Alliance that  “the halt in the fighting has given people an opportunity to assess how much they have lost…those who tried to go back to their homes did not even recognise the streets they were in and on seeing their houses destroyed went back to the schools where they took refuge during the 20 days of bombing.”  Shortages in food, clothing, medicine and basic supplies remain acute. 

Gaza YMCA Relief Work

Until last Saturday when the UNRWA schools re-opened, Gaza YMCA was providing assistance to the many families taking shelter in the schools.  Now, Gaza YMCA will re-open its centre, and continue its assistance activities, including provision of food, blankets, medicine etc. from there.  The YMCA is also running psychosocial programmes with 2,500 children aged 8 to 15.  YMCA animators provide creative programmes including art and handicraft classes, theatre and sports.  The YMCA has also been requested by the Directors of 5 UNRWA schools to undertake psychosocial work with their pupils.

Urgent Appeal for Gaza YMCA

To support this life-saving work, last week the World Alliance of YMCAs launched an urgent appeal to raise 134,000 USD.  To date, approximately 75,000 USD has been pledged with support from YMCAs in Argentina, Canada, Germany, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Switzerland, and USA, as well as the USA YMCA World Service and Y Care International. 

Messages of solidarity and support have continued to pour in from all over the world, including from the YMCAs of England, India, Sri Lanka, Jerusalem International, Spain, Nepal and the Ys Retired of the UK.

The World Alliance of YMCAs would like to thank all those who responded to the urgent appeal and look forward to many more YMCAs pledging to meet the remaining amount.  Needless to say, the situation remains very difficult and the challenges daunting. The YMCA, with our continued help and accompaniment, will do its part and will count on the YMCA family's support in months and years to come.