Mrs. Najah's Kitchen - Gaza Emergency Meals

Because of your incredible support,  Mrs. Najah along with her four other kitchens has been providing hot, nourishing meals to displaced families in Gaza during the war and post-ceasefire. They are currently providing an average of 13,000 meals every day. 

Mrs. Najah's Kitchen has become a vital lifeline for displaced families. Known for her unwavering compassion and dedication, Mrs. Najah has made it her life’s mission to provide hot meals to those in need. Her journey began long before the war, fueled by her deep sense of care and responsibility for her community.

Post-Ceasefire

After the truce, Mrs. Najah and her team, who had been displaced from Rafah for nearly nine months, returned to the city. Upon their return, they found that their homes were either destroyed or severely damaged. The team spent many days clearing the rubble to prepare the kitchen for families returning to Rafah, so they could provide meals to those in need. The demand for assistance has grown even greater. 

Mrs. Najah, the Executive Director of the Women Programs Centre-Rafah (WPC-R), recently spoke with Kareem, a staff member of Rebuilding Alliance and a former member of her team in Gaza. During their conversation, Mrs. Najah discussed the situation in Gaza following the ceasefire and the needs of the community there.

"As families return to their neighborhoods after the devastation of war, I see firsthand the urgent needs they face—shelter for those whose homes have been destroyed, food for those struggling without income, and psychological support for those carrying the heavy burden of loss. Our community is in desperate need of tents, kitchen essentials, solar energy systems, mattresses, blankets, and food supplies. The need for hot meals remains essential, especially as unemployment soars and cash remains inaccessible due to bank closures and financial restrictions."

"Despite these hardships, we remain resilient. With the support of generous donors, we can ensure that every family has a safe place to sleep, warm meals to eat, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. Together, we rebuild." 

"War leaves deep scars—not just on buildings, but on hearts and minds. The people of Gaza continue to endure the long-term effects of destruction, loss of trust in international laws, and uncertainty about their future. Many families have nowhere to go, and if border crossings remain closed, rebuilding will be nearly impossible.”

“To recover, we need more than just shelter and food. Psychological support is critical, especially for children who have lost their families. For widowed mothers striving to provide for their children, income-generating projects will help restore dignity and stability.”

Our resilience is strong, but we can't do this alone. With your support, we can turn despair into hope and begin the journey toward healing and recovery."

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Feeding during the War

Since the last report, Mrs. Najah’s kitchens have accomplished several important milestones. They have increased the number of meals served, diversified the range of dishes offered, and incorporated fresh vegetables into the menu. Additionally, some kitchens have introduced a token distribution system to minimize overcrowding, ensuring that everyone receives their share in a safe and organized manner. This initiative has helped protect beneficiaries from burns caused by hot meals.

Mrs. Najah highlights the daily challenges her kitchen staff face while cooking during the war:

• Constant evacuation orders and food shortages forced many kitchens to close, increasing the reliance on Mrs. Najah’s kitchens and significantly raising the demand for meals. 
• The severe lack of water adds another layer of difficulty, impacting both cooking and cleaning processes. 
• The harsh weather, with cold temperatures and heavy rain soaking the cooking wood, makes it challenging to prepare meals.
• The struggle to access essential ingredients has been constant. Mrs. Najah shared that items like tomato sauce are often unavailable, forcing them to adapt recipes, such as preparing peas with rice instead.

Before the ceasefire, the situation in Gaza had become critical, with fewer trucks and supplies arriving. As a result, the World Food Programme couldn't provide the necessary supplies. She had to halt operations for four days due to shortages of cooking supplies. To bridge the gap, Rebuilding Alliance purchased fresh vegetables from the local market. 

Many families, who had long been deprived of vegetables due to high prices, greatly appreciated our efforts. Mrs. Najah shared that the beneficiaries' emotions were beyond words when the kitchens were stocked with fresh vegetables like chard, spinach, and eggplant. She said they were able to enjoy meals with fresh produce that they couldn't afford on their own.

Mrs. Najah highlights the resilience of Gaza's people.“We are human, and if human rights exist, then our right to life must be upheld,” she says. “To everyone who believes in justice and peace, we thank you for your support and hope you will continue to stand with us.” 

Links:

• Mrs Najah's Kitchen: Nourishing Families Returning Home in Rafah