A Safe Place for Kids in Deheishe Refugee Camp

Need for mechanical oxygen is enormous; already 5 oxygen concentrators for at-home use purchased by Karama.

Dear global supporters,

A year into the COVID19 crisis, the creaks and holes in the Palestinian economic and health system are clearly visible. Without access to vaccinations in sight, society sees another peak of cases and hospitalizations. While schools and shops were open for some time at the start of the year, lockdown rules are back to be very strict again.

This affects many households badly. If one family member is infected, nobody can leave the house or continue their daily activities. This affects the household income, and their opportunities for education. They also cannot go out to buy medicine, groceries, or any other needs, with neighbours or relatives needing to jump in and help. This is not always enough though, and many families have made appeals to Karama to assist in specific needs.

“The hardest part was not to be around my children and be able to take care of them” shares Afaaf who was hospitalized with COVID19 for over a month.

One of these severe cases was Karama participant and mother Afaaf. She and some of her children became infected with the virus. Sadly Afaaf’s situation very quickly deteriorated, and she was hospitalized with a heavy lung infection. As all know, oxygen is crucial in the fight against COVID19 and many patients rely on the mechanical provision of oxygen when their own lungs are failing. Also Afaaf was placed on a breathing machine for most of her hospital stay as her body was fighting this difficult virus. Her daughters and husband feared for her life. After several weeks in the ICU, her body begin to recover, and a plan was made for her return home. The medical staff advised her to obtain an oxygen concentrator for at-home use, so she could continue her recovery among her children.

However, access to life-saving tools like oxygen concentrators is not equal.

As Afaaf’s household was already struggling with medical bills and decreased income, she desperately looked for other actors to support her. This triggered Karama to step up its efforts in the medical field and connect with other local health providers to contribute to a solution for this shortage of mechanical oxygen. Oxygen concentrators are a relatively easy and affordable way for medium severe cases to receive oxygen in flexible locations, either at home or in health clinics. So far, with the support from our friends around the world, Karama could step in and purchase five oxygen concentrators.

This allowed Afaaf to go home safely and continue her recovery among her children.

The needs are high in Palestine at the moment. The ICU’s are full with people fighting for their lives. Many more people are struggling at home and could benefit from medical equipment in the safety of their own home. Karama is committed to continue to coordinate with local institutes and assist with the purchase of equipment whenever needed and possible.

Thank you for standing with us. 

Warm greetings from Palestine.

Links:

• Karama on Facebook

Hi there! 

Time for a news flash from Palestine. 

During the COVID19 crisis, Karama has been focusing on emergency and resilience activities for the most vulnerable households in the refugee camps of the southern west bank. It is very difficult or impossible to still have gatherings or group activities, so we are unable to serve our children much. But they have been included in several activities (such as the distribution of clothes, school supplies, and toys). 

Initially, Karama did work together with many local actors to organize distributions of food, non-food items, and cash to the most vulnerable families in the Bethlehem and Hebron regions. Over 3000 households have been supported by Karama and more through our networks. The team has looked for ways, however, to support our communities more sustainable and in a more dignified manner. That is how the Cash-for-Work program came to life. Men and women who are the main breadwinner of their household, but who lost their income during the corona crisis can apply to participate in the program. They will participate in activities that improve the public spaces of the camp; such as cleaning, painting, restoration work, planting trees and greenery and so. 

This has been a great success so far with amazing feedback from the community! 

So far, we have employed over 70 workers during different times, and we are still going strong with more joining inshallah!! The activities in the camp give workers a fair temporary salary while improving public spaces at the same time. We only employ women and men who are the income-providers for their household but lost their income due to the COVID19 crisis.

The economy is still suffering greatly from the restrictions and lockdown, so many families in the camp are struggling to come by each week! With your support, we can employ more. 

Our most recent activities also contribute to a healthy, clean environment in our beautiful camp. After painting the walls and planting trees, this month our workers distributed wheeled trash bins in Deheisha. The team prepared each bin with extra supplies to make it easier for the UNRWA sanitation workers to empty it. Families in the camp are very happy about this idea, and many have requested adding a bin next to their house. Great job all!

Have a look at the pictures of the hard work and let us know what you think! 

If you would like to support a household during this difficult time, GlobalGiving is the perfect place for a one-time or monthly donation. 

Have an amazing week and don't hesitate to connect with us here or on Facebook. 

Links:

• View the full photo album here on Facebook!