Dubai Cares Supplies School, Hygiene Kits in Gaza

Martha Myers, country director for CARE in West Bank and Gaza, said children were returning to badly damaged schools and the empty desks of classmates killed or injured. "We are all very worried about the terrible toll this war has had on children. They have been terrorized and their world turned upside down. The contribution from Dubai Cares means a great deal to them," Myers said.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, chairperson of the Dubai Cares board of directors, said: "Dubai Cares' intervention in the Gaza Strip stems from its belief that guaranteeing the continuity of children's education is as important as ensuring their physical and emotional well-being. We thank CARE for helping Dubai Cares bring hope to children who have endured unimaginable trauma in the recent war."

The school and hygiene kits were assembled by more than 8,500 United Arab Emirates residents, who participated in the "Volunteer for the Children of Gaza" initiative launched by Dubai Cares in early January. The kits were part of an aid shipment to Gaza that also included school facilities that occupy approximately 800 square meters of land and comprise 11 classrooms, two bathrooms for boys and girls and an administration room that can accommodate up to 460 students. Assembled within 72 hours, the schools were designed to Dubai Cares specifications for rapid response interventions.

Myers said children receiving the school bags and hygiene kits from CARE were delighted, especially when they found that the supplies also included a toy stuffed into the bag. Hind, 11 years old, who lives with her 11 siblings and parents, said, "I am very happy with what I got. It is all so beautiful. I also liked the toy and the stuff in the bag."  

In many cases families currently have no income, so a new school bag, filled with goodies and a box full of hygiene supplies is welcome support, Myers said. Children in Gaza, already impoverished by more than a year of blockade against the Gaza Strip, have been traumatized by the loss of their homes and the death and destruction all around them.

The fighting left more than 1,440 Palestinians dead, 431 of them children. Another 5,380 Palestinians were injured, including 1,872 children. The fighting also has killed 13 Israelis.

About Dubai Cares: Dubai Cares is considered to be the world's largest non-governmental organization dedicated to primary education. The organization has partnerships humanitarian organizations in developing countries around the world with the highest gap in primary education.

About CARE: CARE is one of the world's largest humanitarian aid agencies, providing assistance in nearly 70 countries. CARE has been working in Israel, West Bank and Gaza since 1948 (with a short break from 1984-1994), initially implementing programs to help refugees after the Holocaust. Today, CARE implements programs in food security, health and water, support for civil society groups, and distributions of fresh food. Since the conflict started, CARE has distributed fresh food, medical supplies, heaters, blankets and plastic sheeting to hospitals, families and feeding centers in Gaza.