Food as Medicine for Palestine's PKU Kids

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. 

Links:

• Delivering food and hope to PKU families in Gaza
• A PKU Family Receives Vital Food and Warm Clothing