The Al Imdaad Foundation is currently one of the few humanitarian organisations to have gained access to the Gaza Strip to assist with the humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of the recent 50 day conflict.

Now, with a number of new projects in Gaza, the foundation appeals to local donors for their generosity and assistance in providing aid for Gazans.

Al Imdaad’s Qari Ziyaad Patel said that the assistance the foundation has offered in Gaza has not wavered during the most dangerous and difficult times in the war torn country. At the most rife stage of the recent bomb shelling from Israel in Gaza, the foundation opened its female only hospital to all Palestinians which offered some relief to neighbouring hospitals that has fallen victim to shelling and limited resources. Now, with a new plan in mind, the foundation aims to provide Gazans with clean, portable water along with diesel fuelled generators as there is currently only a two hour period of electricity in the city.

“These generators will cost about $15 000 each. We hope to set them up at local madaris and masajid along with a school and some hospitals,” Patel said.

The Gaza Water Project has been the foundation’s cornerstone project which has been implemented before, however with the new developments in Palestine and the increasing need for fresh water, the foundation will now be embarking on a new phase in this project.

“We plan to construct a water filtration plant along with a water truck which can load clean water and take it to the neighbouring villages,” Patel added.

But the foundation is not stopping there, they are also running a campaign which offers international communities and opportunity to sponsor a orphan in Palestine.

However, the foundation’s assistance does not come without an expense. Patel explained that a number of their representatives in Gaza are now suffering from Post Dramatic Stress due to their experience of Israel’s bombings and the loss of their loved ones. Even through this turmoil, the foundation continues to offer a range of humanitarian aid for Palestinians, with its food scheme having gone as far as feeding all those currently finding refuge in UN shelters.

Patel further appealed to donors for a donations of any amount to make a contribution which will go toward any of these projects.

“The amount of money we need for these projects is not impossible to achieve in South Africa. Through local Masaajied, schools, organisations and local families, these goals can be achieved,” Patel concluded.

To make a donation log onto www.alimdaad.com or call 0561 756 243. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)