Gaza on The Ground is a series of accounts of the people currently affected by the war in Gaza, whose stories have been brought to us by the Humanity First teams volunteering in the affected areas. This account is about Amal Muhammed al-Utla, a little girl less than 2 years old who drew the attention of the Humanity First Team.
Running a session on safety for Gazans uprooted from their homes, a disheartening, but all too common sight was before our eyes. A 2-year-old toddler, Amal, with small eyes flickering between those around her, remained restless.
The reason for her jitteriness – as we later discovered – was because she was trying her best to recognise the mother amongst those gathered. But unbeknownst to her, she would never be comforted by her sight again. The reason for this? Her mother had been killed in an air strike not too long before, with multiple young family members.
Amal herself had been strenuously recovered from underneath the rubble of what was once a peaceful home, now, with only her father by her side. Her new abode? A flimsy tent in Khan Younis that is unforgiving during the freezing night, and shakes due to the roar of rockets during the day.
Her father best describes her emotions:
Since that day, my girl hasn’t stopped crying, day or night. I simply don’t know if she cries due to fear, hunger, or a longing for her deceased loved ones. Now, I fear every building – and all things made of stone.
Although we may not be able to help with Amal’s losses and go back in time to make a difference, we all still have the ability to help in another way. Humanity First has live teams on the ground in Gaza, supplying clean water and food daily to those in need, as well as offering psychological and educational support to small kids like Amal, at a time when their entire lives have been turned upside down.
Donating to Humanity First UK will further advance this effort, and you can be certain that every penny that you donate will be used to help those in need, just like Amal.