Disaster Response Palestine Project #48418

Food as Medicine for Palestine's PKU Kids

by Rebuilding Alliance

Project Report | Aug 18, 2025
PKU children in Gaza receive vital nutrition

By Maria Syed and Lama Abed | Director of Development and Staff Writer

Bashir is 8 and has PKU

Thank you for your continued support. Because of you, we were able to bring nourishment to PKU patients across Gaza for two consecutive months—July and August.

Under the guidance of RA’s nutritionist, our team assembled food packages with fresh vegetables for PKU patients. They require low-protein food to stay healthy. Many essential items for PKU patients—such as special low-protein flour and medical formula—are no longer available in Gaza. High protein food is toxic for them. That’s why we ensure they receive fresh vegetables and fruits, which help them stay healthy and avoid irreversible brain damage.

Fresh vegetables were sourced from local markets. Each parcel contained a variety of fresh produce, including eggplants, okra, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, mulukhiyah, and spinach. Deliveries were made across the Gaza Strip—in Gaza City, Deir Al Balah, and Khan Younis. Families were contacted to receive their packages at safe locations.

In the fifth round of food parcel distribution, which concluded on July 3rd, a total of 182 parcels were distributed. The sixth round was completed on August 11th, delivering 191 parcels across the Strip.

The families were overjoyed to receive the parcels and expressed their deep gratitude.

Doaa, Asmaa, and Youssef’s family was relieved to receive the parcel. “The moment we received it, we felt a sense of calm,” their father said. “It felt good to finally have something healthy and suitable for them.” Grateful for the support, he added, “We truly hope there can be more healthy parcels in the future.”
Other families shared how the parcels bring hope. The father of Menna, Shahd, and Donia—who all have PKU—said, “The parcel we received made a difference. Thank you for not forgetting us.”
The father of Mounir, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy with PKU, spoke about the last delivery: “For a few days, Mounir had something safe. For a few days, he smiled again. For a few nights, he slept soundly. And for that, we’re truly grateful.”

Our team in Gaza encountered heartbreaking stories during the distribution.

Parents shared that their children are constantly hungry. They have nothing to feed them for days. Many told us how hard it is to find even the most basic essentials due to the ongoing blockade. Prices have risen so sharply that even simple vegetables are now out of reach for most families. Some said they can’t buy anything at all.
Without vegetables, children become anxious, agitated, and withdrawn. Hassan’s brother told us that Hassan, who is 24 and has PKU, is becoming more irritable, emotionally unstable, and less focused. Not having the right food is harming his body and affecting his mental health.
Little Joud’s father shared that his son has become more irritable and is showing signs of developmental delay. “It’s not just hunger,” he said. “It’s the lack of the right food he needs to stay alive and think clearly. And we haven’t had that for over a year.”
Sami is a five-year-old boy with PKU. After losing his father in the war, he now lives with his grandmother in a tent. Without fresh food or medical formula, his health has worsened. He’s in first grade but struggles to learn, focus, and develop like other children. “He’s in first grade but he still can’t tell the difference between the number one and two. He can’t write.” His grandmother hopes for regular support so Sami can grow, learn, and have a better future.
Adel and Hala’s father told us they continue to move from one place to another. “Our constant displacement has deeply affected their mental well-being,” he shared. “And that’s on top of food shortages, lack of clean water, and the fear we live with every day under this war.”
Amani, Ayman, and Ashraf all have PKU. Their father shared that without medical formula, their health is getting worse—they’re more irritable, their skin is pale, and their condition is declining each day.

PKU patients require regular supplies of fresh vegetables and fruits to stay healthy and prevent permanent brain damage. Your support is essential for us to continue helping these children regain some stability and hope.

Thank you for making this possible. Your support isn’t just filling boxes—it’s delivering health and dignity.

Dr Hamouda, RA's nutritionist & project lead

Each parcel is packed with fresh veggies & fruits

Marwan, Nismah, Layan, and Mahmoud (siblings)

Little Joud

Ashraf and his two siblings have PKU

Grandfather of Doaa, Asmaa, and Youssef

Vegetable and fruit parcels

Hasan, 24 year old

Father of Menna, Shahd, and Donia

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May 23, 2025
Helping PKU children survive the war

By Lama Abed and Maria Syed | Staff Writer and Director of Development

13-year-old Yassin and his younger brother Tareq

With your support, Rebuilding Alliance continues to provide life-saving nutrition to children with Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gaza. Our team in Gaza, under the supervision of dietitian Dr. Hamooda finished the fourth phase of food parcels for PKU children, providing food parcels to 180 PKU patients across Gaza. Despite the challenging conditions, constant bombings and massive displacements, our team completed this phase.

As famine spreads and prices are high, these life-saving parcels offer a rare source of nutrition and dignity for the most vulnerable families. Each parcel is carefully prepared to meet the strict dietary needs of children with PKU — a rare metabolic condition that makes it dangerous for them to eat high-protein foods. The boxes include fresh vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, molokhia, and cucumbers, along with fruits, canned jams and pineapple, olive and corn oil, and essential hygiene items like shampoo and laundry detergent.

The war has cut off access to the special low-protein diet PKU children need to survive. Markets are empty, prices are skyrocketing, and most families are struggling to find anything fresh or nourishing. The children who came to receive the parcels showed visible signs of fatigue and hunger. For many, it was their first time in weeks seeing fruits and vegetables — a heartbreaking reflection of the crisis gripping Gaza. PKU families extended their heartfelt thanks to every donor whose generosity made this possible.

Ten-year-old Razan, who received a food parcel, said, “I just want to eat,” Razan broke down in tears while speaking to our team member. Her words reflect the heartbreaking daily struggle she and other PKU patients face in accessing a suitable diet for themselves due to the war and blockade. Without access to the special formula, flour, fruits, and vegetables, she’s forced to eat meals from soup kitchens with her family — meals like pasta and rice that are dangerous for her condition. Her father shared the painful reality of rising prices and food shortages, making it nearly impossible to provide the fresh produce Razan needs. He stressed how critical these parcels are — and pleaded for regular, tailored food assistance to help keep his daughter safe and healthy.
Among the recipients was also 7-year-old Haya, who lost her father, her home, and several family members in the recent attacks. With the crossings closed for over two months and food prices soaring, her family is struggling to meet even the most basic needs. Still, Haya came with her mother to receive the parcel — not just to say thank you, but to ask for clothes and a few toys.
Naji, a resident of the Shuja'iyya neighborhood and a father of a child with PKU, shared the devastating impact of war on families like his. With no access to hospitals, medicine, or essential food like special formula and vegetables, life has become a daily struggle for survival. Now displaced and homeless, Naji shared how even one parcel can make a difference, especially for children with PKU who rely on a strict vegetarian diet. His message is clear: they have no one else to turn to.
Our team met 13-year-old Yassin and his younger brother Tareq. Both boys were overjoyed to receive their food parcel containing special food for them. However, their smiles could not hide the pain they carry within. A few months ago, they lost their father in a bombing in Khan Younis. While retrieving their father's body, the boys were exposed to a deeply traumatic experience that continues to impact them daily. Their mother is working hard to keep the family together. She expressed her gratitude for the food parcels and called for psychological support in addition to the ongoing supply of food.

Thank you for making this possible. Your support is not just feeding PKU patients—it’s giving them a chance to survive and thrive.

Ten-year-old Razan

Dr Hamouda with a parent

Our team works under unfavourable conditions

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Jan 29, 2025
Supporting PKU Children: Second Phase of Food Parcel Distribution

By Lama Abed and Maria Syed | Staff writer and Director of Development

Food parcels given to182 PKU families

Thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, our team in Gaza successfully finished the second round of the healthy food parcel distribution for people with Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gaza on December 31st, 2024.

The second phase of food parcel distribution was launched on November 20, 2024, under the guidance of nutritionist Dr. Hamouda.

Over the course of one month and ten days, our team distributed parcels in Khan Younis, Deir Al Balah, and Gaza City. We also registered new PKU patients who were included in the program. In total, we distributed 180 food parcels, an increase from the 157 parcels distributed in the first phase.

Each parcel contained fresh vegetables, fruits, canned goods, and hygiene supplies for PKU families, providing low-protein food during these challenging times. Each parcel is designed to sustain a family for at least 10 days.

The cost of the food parcels varied, ranging from $64 to $87 in the southern and central regions, depending on availability and market conditions. In contrast, prices in northern Gaza are significantly higher, with each parcel costing up to $158 due to severe food shortages in the local market. Despite the rising costs, we were able to give life-saving support to PKU families with your generosity.

In addition, 58 PKU PKU families also received warm training suits and shoes as part of winter relief support by Rebuilding Alliance under which 1068 families received support.

These efforts made a profound difference for families facing unimaginable hardships. Your kindness provided them with the nutrition they need to survive and stay healthy during a time when finding food is a daily struggle.

For Mohamed, a father of three daughters with PKU (Phenylketonuria), the food parcels have provided a new lease on life. He shared the heartbreaking reality of his family's struggles in affording the specialized foods his daughters require. One of his daughters, now 20, suffers from a mental disability that has worsened due to years of inadequate nutrition, leaving Mohamed sleepless and deeply concerned about the health of her and her sisters. Although the nutritious food provided in the parcels has offered much-needed relief, Mohamed emphasizes the ongoing need for special flour and formula, which are still unavailable due to the ongoing crisis.

Ahmed, a young PKU patient, and his family face equally dire circumstances. With his blind father unable to afford low-protein foods, Ahmed's health has worsened significantly. He appears thin, anxious, and withdrawn. Although he has found some hope through the fresh fruits and vegetables included in the food parcels, his family continues to struggle without access to the specialized medical care and dietary staples that are crucial for his well-being.

Ashraf is a father of three children—two boys and one girl—who all have PKU. His family received food parcels as part of the program, along with winter clothes that provided essential warmth and comfort during the cold months. Watching his children happy and well cared for brought Ashraf a sense of relief and gratitude.

To our generous supporters, thank you for making this life-saving work possible. Your kindness and contributions do more than just feed families; they provide them with hope, healing, and the opportunity for a brighter future.

Fresh vegetables, fruits, and canned goods

Helping PKU individuals avoid brain damage

Low-protein diet is critical for PKU children

58 PKU families given warm clothes and shoes

Winter relief package

Offering warmth during the cold winter months

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