What Happens To Assistance To Gaza?
This arrived in my email in-box this morning and I thought you should all be able to read it too….
Sunday, March 01, 2009
D
uring and directly following the vicious attack on Gaza by Israel in January 2009, with the news full of the plight of women, children, hospitals and so on, all over the world people quickly sprang to contribute humanitarian help. Goods have poured in from the Arab world, including governments and the peoples. Here in Jordan, there is hardly an organization, company, school or club that has not made the effort to send help. Donations large and small have made their way to those Gaza families who so desperately need food, blankets, personal products, medicines and equipment to survive, not just the cold winter, but just to live for the next months or years.
As a member of a local group of women, I was part of a team that made generous donations of goods specifically aimed at women and children: milk, formula, disposable diapers, feminine napkins, and blankets. One of the team members did the ’shopping’ by contacting producers, providers and wholesalers of these items. She purchased and directed the delivery of these goods to a collection point in Amman. Together we went to observe the delivery of our goods, and confirm the receipt with the officials.
In mid-winter Amman can be cold, wet and windy. Not until this last week\end did we experience typical winter weather, with precipitation varying from rain, hail, sleet to snow accompanied by gusty winds, and near freezing temperatures. After two days of this kind of weather, we awoke this morning to see feathers falling from above—it looked like the angels had a pillow fight and all the feathers escaped. But luckily the snow melted as it hit the ground. Even so, I thought—what about the trip this morning—I was the driver, and didn’t know where we were going. People are cold and hungry—I need to go. By the time I got in the car, it was just a drizzle, and slightly foggy, and as we got on our way, it was clearing up.
Though some of our goods were already stacked on pallets, more was yet to come, so we chatted with the man in charge. We walked around the huge warehouse, with a flat bed semi parked in the middle aisle, looking at the piles of goods— medical equipment, wheel chairs, blankets, flour, sugar, etc being made ready to put on the trucks.
He gestured to a 10 foot high stack of cartons containing cooking oil—”Those are from Syria, made there, he said, “but the Israelis won’t let anything from Syria across.” And we saw piles of vital food stuffs forbidden because of the country of origin. Next to us were boxes stacked again maybe 10 high, and he opened one to show us—food to feed a family: flour, milk, vermicelli, rice just the basics— not allowed in. Why? No food stuffs to individuals—no care boxes. Not allowed by the Israelis.
Just last Thursday a large number of trucks were delayed from entering at the Gaza entry until late Friday—no reason given. However, he assured us that his organization does not dispatch trucks until they are sure thee earlier shipments get through. He also confirmed that all the goods get to UNRWA distribution centers, and not into the hands of Hamas, or individuals/
During our discussion, it became clear that “war is good, in that it brings donations” but now the need is even more urgent than a couple of weeks ago because the level of giving has dropped so noticeably. We humans tend to forget too quickly. The hour of need is really months and years. A month ago, the warehouse was full, and the trucks moved out as soon as they were loaded. Here and there are gaps that need filling, because the need never ends.
But when it comes to humanitarian aid—must the Israeli authorities act like the despots of Myanmar? Remember? Is the country of origin so important when people are starving, ill, and struggling to survive? Or is it paranoia? Or just plain damn mean? If the Israelis were on the receiving end, I am sure they would over look “Made in Syria”. And what gives the Israelis the right to search the goods, prevent vital foodstuffs from entering? Paranoia? A bomb in the rice? A gun in the sugar?
If airport security can detect explosives and weapons—is it too complex and expensive to screen food? No, it is just paranoia! Meanness to the Palestinians.
And, oh, yes—lets not forget what cause this desolation and destruction of lives —
It wasn’t the Gazans.
Politically speaking—they only want to live. They haven’t the will to speak out against the rulers—they haven’t the means either. They barely have the means to survive—but they do have a will.
So the best move anyone can make is to be sure they have what it takes to physically survive, and also to survive knowing the rest of the world cares that they do.
A brief note here: unfortunately used clothing is not accepted, though many countries have donated. For one thing, it can be a health hazard, and another reason is that the type of clothing may not be useful for the climate or lifestyle.
Please share this with others. It is a right to know so that others may survive.
Alma Lou