Gaza sponsors people through food and inclusion

Giada Aquilaino – Vatican City

Being on the line of confrontation as heroes to respond within its community, in the context of the war, according to the United Nations, more than 80 % of Gaza population depends on aid and when Israel is still an entrance. This is the goal, which was achieved, among 20 chefs, a young man with hearing disabilities every day in Deir Balla, in the center of the Gaza Strip, and prepares and delivered hot meals to 250 families who transported, about 1750 people, thanks to the marital community kitchen, and the community cooking project supported by CBM ITAY alongside baze in flying. children. He talked about this with the media in the Vatican Lionura Giodrano, Director of International Programs at CBM ITALIA, the international mandatory organization of health, education, work and the rights of persons with disabilities.

Training, work, commitment

Within the framework of the initiative, “People, with and without disabilities, were formed to create a position, a profession in the restoration sector. With the continued crisis and the need to provide meals for the displaced population – Giordano explains – think about the goal of the community cuisine, and the ability to provide a job for people who have already done a training course: all of them are certificates in the field of restoration. These are men and women, not only the chefs, but also kitchen assistants, community operators and managers Cleaning and purchasing managers and material supply. Criticism of the work. At the same time, they have the ability to receive a daily meal, and above all, no less important, being beneficial and visible to society at this critical moment.

To start activities in June 2024, “societal cuisine was implemented, with all the necessary equipment, then a food warehouse and all commodities related to the production of meals were enabled, and a waiting area was prepared to avoid crowding or confusion at the time of distribution.” Each meal can consist of legumes, vegetables, rice and meat if there is, according to the availability of the field, due to war operations. “They are meals of a kilo and a half, almost a kilogram, specifically because they are dedicated to the family’s nuclei: we consider – the CBM ITALIA representative – at the rate of seven individuals for each family nucleus, which includes persons with disabilities and their relatives.

Homa the answerProtective and social inclusion

In an approach that seeks to combine the humanitarian response and work towards social integration, the two organizations are committed to the “transformer” of the project: among the twenty young men, GIORDANO “, has a tangible impact” on society and “represents a challenge to stereotypes, which may be very connected to persons with disabilities.” They are the ones who tell us how they can find the purpose, unify them, gain and re -renew the cream. The thing that caused my admiration a lot – admits – it is exactly the issue of “we who have prepared and distributed meals to families”: it is nutrition that passes through food but also feeding the inclusion, and raising the lives of families in such difficult times. “

certificate He died

An example of this is WAFA, a young woman from the Gaza Strip that she could not find a job because of her disability, until she was presented with a chance. “Working in the community cuisine – he says – it was a turning point for me, I have regained confidence and I guaranteed me a daily meal and a stable income to take care of my four children, which is like me, and I am also very happy to be useful for the entire society.” This explains, as Ellionora Giordano says, “Even in a reality of disabilities of war, it cannot and should be an obstacle.”

Preparing meals for meals for 250 families

The experience of the community cuisine will continue until the end of April, but “it is a project in continuous development, which – remember – we have gradually spanned over time according to the support we received.” Unfortunately, the reality of facts is that “the demand has not been exhausted and that there is a need to continue supporting hot foods” for the inhabitants of Gaza.