Karama steps up emergency efforts amid Coronavirus crisis in Palestine

5/12/2020

Palestinians in the refugee camps have been very worried about their safety, because of the weak infrastructure in the camps and the high population density. It is very hard to isolate or keep physical distance when you are grouped with over 15,000 people on less than half square km for example! Moreover, economic life has been greatly impacted, leading to many families losing their source of income. Know that many refugee families live on a day-to-day or month-to-month basis, with unstable incomes and no savings to count on. Many day workers such as restaurant workers, taxi drivers, small shop owners or other local service providers saw their businesses closed or very much reduced in the last 2,5 months. Losing 90 days of salary is huge for our communities.

Karama Organization has stepped up and advocated with its international donors, partners, and supporters to send assistance for the most vulnerable families. With the help of many, lots of activities have been undertaken! So far this Ramadan, Karama alone has distributed over 800 household food packages, 600-kilo chicken, 600 bags of hand sanitizer, and 3700 bags of milk and medication to vulnerable households in all refugee camps and surrounding areas. In cooperation with other local actors, we managed to add another 1300 food packages and 12000 hygiene kits. In our work, we naturally hope to increase the people's resilience and not stay limited to hand-outs, so we have been designing cash-for-work programs and (women-led) business-rehabilitation programs in order to kick-start economic activities in our communities as soon as this is safely possible. Soon Karama hopes to implement an emergency (one-time) cash transfer to the most vulnerable households in the Bethlehem area - to support families through the last days of Ramadan and the festival of Eid lFitr after the holy month.

Due to the mobility restrictions and physical distancing rules, we can not organize any other activities such as community iftars or children's activities, like we are used to in other years. However this Ramadan together we keep the spirit of solidarity and generousity high in our communities. Karama team is thankful for the flexible and generous support of all our (local and international) partners and supporters.