Agricultural development is crucial to the economic well-being of Palestine. In the past, UPA has supported community gardens in rural areas where work and food are scarce. Many of these gardens could not have come together without the help of the women in those villages. These women, the mothers, sisters, daughters, and aunts of our community must grow their own food to feed their families.

Unfortunately, poverty tends to be most prevalent in rural areas around the world, and Palestinians face many barriers while trying to develop their agricultural land. Restrictions on the importation of fertilizers, lack of access to water, and land theft have all severely damaged the Palestinian agricultural industry and the various attempts to develop it.

UPA is committed to helping these women sustain their livelihood with its Agriculture program. The Agriculture program has also promoted food security, environmental protection, and financial stability for Palestinian farmers, especially in the most vulnerable and impoverished areas.

During Ramadan, supporters like you have funded community gardens in refugee camps like the ones in Nahr El-Bared and the surrounding area. The women in this camp are elderly and often live alone.

Today the gardens serve as a source of extra income for the camp’s elders. Healthy foods such as eggplant, okra, mouloukhiyya, and other greens were planted as a way for Palestinian youth and elders to connect to their shared culture. Now, when the youth do the “heavy lifting” in the garden, they regain a sense of pride in providing for their elders.

Our progress is real, but the need remains vast, and because of you, we can help transform the lives of Palestinian women living in rural areas. These women, like Palestinians everywhere, refuse to give up and instead have found innovative ways to rebuild their communities while providing for their families.