The Gazan humanitarian crisis has 'grown so deep' its residents are now exporting aid to Somalia.
by Gavriel Queenann
Published: 14/08/11, 9:29 AM
Kerem Shalom
Flash 90
In another sign that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza isn't all it is said to be, Gazans are sending aid to Somalia.
Imams in mosques in the Gaza strip mentioned Somalia during Friday prayers last week and asked Gazans to donate to their brothers there.
Moreover, the Arab Doctors Union Gaza branch ran a campaign asking the people of Gaza to donate topeople of Somalia.
The campaign, called "From Gaza hand in hand to save the children of Somalia", will last throughout Ramadan.
The Union took out advertisements supporting the campaign in local radios and websites to encourage people to contribute to the campaign. It is planningadvertisements on local television also.
Various people responded to the campaign, but most donations came from the local non-governmental organisations and some wealthy businessmen, according to the organizers of the campaign.
One of the donors, Mohammed Abd Al Latif said, "I saw the pictures of our brothers in Somalia and felt so sorry for them; I wanted to do anything to help."
"The campaign aimed at demonstrating the extent of physical cohesion between the besieged Gaza and Somalia, showing that the Palestinian people are capable ofsupporting and standing by the Somali people," said Ahmad Hathat, the public relations officer of the Union.
The charity campaign underscores the fact that Gaza is swimming in surplus aid from an international community willing to underwrite the national aspirations of Fatah and Hamas to the extent that their enclaves have become transit points, rather than a destination, for aid.
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