Mohammad: HI Humanitarian Worker Displaced by the War

Since October 7 and the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, at least 40,000 Palestinians have been killed – including at least 10.000 children - and over 80,000 injured in the continuous bombing of Gaza by Israeli forces. This deadly offensive comes in the wake of a massive attack launched on Israel by Hamas, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 240 Israelis and foreign nationals were taken hostage.

An Ordinary Family Life Before the War

We are a family of five: Lana, our daughter, is exceptionally talented in drawing and consistently excels in her studies, earning top grades in school. Ahmed, our son, is passionate about football, sports, and cars. He also impresses us with his dedication to his school. Lastly, Adam, our youngest, is the heart of our family and brings us immense joy.

We lived in the northern part of Gaza City, enjoying a comfortable quality of life. We were happy and had all the comforts necessary: a large house, a good car, a garden, opportunities to dine at restaurants, visits to parks and the seaside, and occasionally travel.

I love my work in the logistics field. I have been with HI for 11 years and have worked my way up to become a Facilities and Procurement Supervisor.

Endless Displacements

My family and I have been displaced eight times since October from my home in northern Gaza.  

First, we were moved to Gaza City for ten days after receiving notification from the Israeli armed forces to evacuate the area. Then, we moved to the southern part of Gaza City and the Mid area (Al-Maghazi) for three weeks, each time following evacuation orders. Then, we were temporarily relocated to the UNRWA center in Khan Yunis for one day, then moved to a colleague's house.  

After that, we moved to the Al-Amal Association in Rafah, initially sharing a room with another family. Later, we relocated to another location near the HI Office in Rafah, where we resided for approximately three months until another evacuation order was issued. From Rafah, we moved to the central area of Gaza, where I've remained until now.

Fleeing Bombardments  

When you are homeless, you escape from death into the unknown. We flee under bombardment and fire, threatened with death. During displacements, I looked at the faces of my children: I saw sadness and oppression, and I saw in myself the inability to provide them with a sense of security. Frankly, the feeling of displacement is the worst feeling a person can experience because it is mixed with weakness, humiliation, and fear.

Every time we are forced to move, I try to give them hope by telling them that this will be the last time we are displaced, and the next time we move, it will be to our own home, which will be soon. Deep inside, I know this isn't true, but I say it to keep their hope alive.

All service facilities are in a state of collapse. Water and food needs can only be found on the black market at a higher price, sometimes three times or more if you find what you need. The hospital only works to respond to emergencies; no comprehensive medical care exists. My wife's chronic iron deficiency condition has worsened due to the scarcity of healthy food and medicines. She fainted four times during the conflict. Doctors are overwhelmed and unable to provide any support.

My children and other family members suffer from shock, fear, loss of security, and chronic anxiety. I talk to them constantly and find any way to keep them from the harsh reality.

How to Deal with Your Job

We now live in HI premises, the “Zawdia Office,” under the HI duty of care policy, so I don't need to take transportation to the office as I live in the same place.

Dealing with my job during and after the displacements has been challenging. The inability to provide for the family's needs affects my ability to perform work. Balancing work and family responsibilities is difficult, as providing for the family requires effort, impacting my physical and mental capacity and causing a constant feeling of discomfort. For instance, if the family wants to prepare food for the children, I need to light the wood for cooking and stay with them until the food preparation is finished. I also need to provide psychological support for the family, trying to give them a sense of safety and security and ensuring they feel that I am always there for them.

A Message to the World

My hope for the future is to settle down with my family and see a feeling of security in their eyes. If I could share one message with the international community, it would be this: We, as civilians, do not deserve such cruelty simply because we're living in a conflict zone. We are penalized for matters that have nothing to do with us. We deserve to live like other human beings.

Relief institutions that aim to support people on the ground face significant chaos. Due to complex organization, insecurity, and chaos, the support often does not reach those who deserve it. Finally, I hope the world does not get used to this disaster.

Aid Workers Security Data Base  

The number of security incidents affecting aid workers involving deliberate acts of violence has been incredibly high. According to Aid Workers Security, 320 humanitarian workers have been shot, kidnapped, hit by aerial bombings, etc., since January 2024. In 2023, the number was 911.

Joint Report on Humanitarian Workers

In August 2023, HI, Médecins du Monde, and Action Against Hunger published a joint report titled "The risks we take are beyond comprehension— Better protecting humanitarian and health workers." The report takes stock of humanitarian organizations' challenges and key demands for better protection of these workers.

Read the full report here.

Read the executive summary here.