For refugee families living in Gaza Camp, finding sufficient clothes, heating fuel, and shelter during the harsh winter season is a constant struggle. Gaza Camp is the poorest among the 10 Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan. The camp’s entire population of almost 30,000 people lives on less than half a square mile and those lucky enough to have a job often earn the equivalent of $3.14 per day, a wage that is below the national poverty line. The camp suffers from a lack of health and education services, and its infrastructure is outdated.

Thanks to your support, this winter, a team of UPA staff and volunteers helped families in Gaza Camp combat the bitter cold, snow, and rainfall by distributing warm clothing to over 300 families.

“The initiative had a great impact on the kids and their families. The kids feel marginalized and excluded. When people visit our camp and spend some time playing with the kids, bringing them gifts or just talking to them, this goes a long way. It makes them feel recognized and cared for by the outside world” -Mr. Adnan Hussein, Director of the Camp Center

According to UNRWA, about 75% of the housing units in the Camp are unsuitable for living due to their poor conditions. Many families crowd into units that contain only one or two rooms and lack sunlight and good ventilation. In response to these conditions, UPA installed new roofs on 13 family shelters, including Buthaina’s.

“The first time I walked into Buthaina’s home, I could not escape the sound of water hitting the ground or the smell of mildew. Her roof leaks every time it rains. There were buckets everywhere to catch the water and more water stains than you could count. The walls were crumbling, and the floors were cold.” -Nisreen Abu AlSheikh, UPA’s Programs Coordinator in Jordan.

Can you imagine?

With your support, UPA also provided 120 families with enough heating fuel for one month. A one month’s supply of fuel for a standard heater costs about 30 Jordanian Dinars (about a\ month’s income!) Delivering a one-month supply of fuel relieved many worries.