In light of the difficult economic conditions in the Gaza Strip due to the suffocating Israeli siege and the increase in the rate of poverty and unemployment for the seventh year in a row a “charity market” is organized in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip which is a Ramadan project benefiting hundreds of poor families in the southern governorates with the support of the Waqf Al-Waqifeen Foundation – South Africa and the implementation of the Isnad Charitable Association.
The market opened for four days in the town of Bani Suhaila east of Khan Yunis and included various types of vegetables fresh red meat foodstuffs and the famous Ramadan dessert “Qatayef”.
Signs of satisfaction and happiness were evident on the faces of the market’s shoppers and they buy what they want easily with the assistance of those in charge of the charitable market project.
The project supervisors provide specific dates and coupons for the beneficiaries to spend over the four days so that there is no crowding.
Um Ahmed Qudeih one of the beneficiaries of the project seemed satisfied with the market and the quality of the products offered in it noting that it comes in light of a difficult economic situation that hits all areas of the Gaza Strip with the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
The case of the citizen Abu Muhammad al-Najjar was not different as he explained that the difficult conditions that the Gaza Strip suffers from made him obliged to accept such aid; expressing hope that the siege on Gaza will be lifted as soon as possible.
Muhannad Al-Najjar Director of Public Relations at Isnad Charitable Society told the Palestinian Information Center that the project benefits more than 950 poor families from the border areas of Khan Yunis and Rafah who do not have any source of income and need urgent relief.
He pointed out that this project is the fifth for the association explaining that the cost of the project amounted to about $70000 noting that the association is working around the clock to improve the living conditions of needy families.
He thanked the supporting bodies of the association especially the donors from South Africa for their prominent role in supporting the association and helping it to overcome the obstacles of funding for charitable projects and helping poor families.
Al-Najjar called for repeating the establishment of such charitable markets not only during Ramadan but also periodically to meet the needs of poor families for the longest possible period especially with the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip after the intensification of the siege the closure of crossings and the reduction of salaries.
