Palestinian photographers show how we keep cooking in Gaza
Our teams in Gaza are focused on the mission, cooking and delivering meals to people who need them most, despite the immense challenges of recent weeks. The photos captured by our Palestinian photographers—Ekhlas, Mahdy, Sami, Hana, and Mahmoud—tell the stories of the team, the meals they prepare, and the lives they impact. “Every meal tells a story of hope and solidarity,” said Mahmoud, “and every effort made reflects the unbreakable spirit of perseverance.”
Delivering meals to displaced families
Procuring chicken is a rare feat, but one we were able to accomplish recently, bringing smiles to many. Kitchen staff were excited to cook it with vegetables, spices, and rice, knowing that displaced families hadn’t been able to enjoy chicken in many weeks. Our teams delivered the nourishing meals to a camp for displaced families in Rafah. “This simple meal provided temporary relief to families living under immense psychological and social pressures,” said Ekhlas, one of our photographers in Gaza.
Supporting vaccination efforts
WCK’s teams are doing their part to help with recent Polio vaccination efforts by providing hot meals to the medical staff. Though the task is daunting–over 640,000 children need the vaccination and fighting still continues in the region—the rate of vaccinations has been higher than anticipated. “This nutritional support reflects the community’s commitment to supporting healthcare workers and fosters a spirit of cooperation and solidarity in addressing health challenges,” said Mahdy, another of our photographers in Gaza.
Umm Shadi and balila
“Balila is one of the delicious traditional dishes we love. It is cherished by both children and adults, and it gives us a sense of comfort and warmth,” said Umm Shadi. She and her family receive food from a WCK community kitchen in Gaza that prepares hundreds of hot meals each day for families living in western Khan Younis. Balila is made from boiled chickpeas seasoned with tasty spices. This dish is valuable because it’s easy to cook and requires few ingredients while also being comforting and nourishing.
Dr. Akram, Professor of Media
People from many different professions are joining efforts to support their communities in Gaza however they can. Dr. Akram is a media professor who now runs one of WCK’s community kitchens where they use WCK-provided pellet stoves and ingredients to make hundreds of hot meals each day. They also have a small but efficient bakery to make saj—a traditional flatbread that accompanies every meal.
It is because of the hundreds of Palestinians working with WCK—photographers, kitchen staff, community kitchens and more—we have provided more than 67 million meals in Gaza. You can sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for real time updates and to continue seeing Gaza through the eyes of our photographers.
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