Tag Archives: Orphan

Philanthropy

Global Campaign To Sponsor Gaza Orphans

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Life for Relief and Development Intensifies Emergency Humanitarian Efforts to Support Thousands of Children Who Have Lost Their Families

In an unprecedented initiative, Life for Relief and Development has launched a global humanitarian campaign to secure sponsors for 60,000 orphans in the Gaza Strip, aiming to support children who have lost one or both parents as a result of the war. The campaign seeks to provide their essential needs, including food, healthcare, education, and psychosocial support, amid the severe humanitarian conditions they continue to endure.

According to UNICEF, more than 64,000 children have suffered injuries or permanent disabilities since the outbreak of the war. Meanwhile, approximately 800,000 children are living in displacement, and nearly one million children require mental health and psychosocial support after being exposed to traumatic war-related experiences.

An Orphan Without Shelter, Water, or Food

We spoke with Dr. Abdulwahab Alawna, Regional Office Director for the Middle East at Life for Relief and Development, who described the scale of the campaign:

“Supporting orphan sponsorships in Gaza today is no longer simply about providing financial assistance to a child who has lost his or her parents. It is a long-term humanitarian commitment to children who have endured hardships and painful experiences far beyond their years.

These children need more than life’s basic necessities. They also need to regain a sense of safety and stability and to know that someone stands beside them and believes they deserve a better future. In light of the immense loss of parents, the destruction of homes and schools, repeated displacement, and extremely difficult living conditions, sponsoring a child in Gaza has become one of the most effective ways to ensure that child continues to receive essential support while being protected from further deprivation.

Sustained sponsorship does more than help children overcome their current crisis—it gives them a genuine opportunity to learn, grow, and build a more stable and dignified future.”

Spreading the Suffering of Gaza’s Children Is a Shared Responsibility

Vicki Roob, Director of Domestic Programs at Life for Relief and Development, added:

“We encourage everyone to help spread awareness of this campaign through social media and to speak about the suffering of Gaza’s orphans, whose hardship extends far beyond the loss of their families and sense of security.

Today, nearly 1.1 million children struggle to access safe drinking water, exposing them to increased risks of dehydration, diarrhea, respiratory infections, and skin diseases. At the same time, children are experiencing severe levels of food insecurity, placing them at heightened risk of malnutrition and its long-term consequences for their growth and overall health.

Hundreds of thousands of children have also been deprived of regular education after schools and educational infrastructure sustained widespread damage.

Malnutrition poses a serious threat to children’s health and development. Its effects are not limited to the present; they can continue throughout later stages of life, leading to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, increased vulnerability to disease, and impaired physical and cognitive development that may persist well into adulthood.”

Children with Disabilities in Gaza Need Comprehensive Support

The needs of children with disabilities in Gaza are even greater, as they face tremendous difficulties accessing the essential services they require, including assistive devices, medical treatment, rehabilitation services, healthcare, psychological support, and opportunities for education.

Life for Relief and Development is working to intensify its efforts to help rebuild these children’s lives and enable them to regain their abilities and opportunities for the future.

Many of these children have endured horrific experiences, including the loss of parents and siblings, the destruction of their homes, repeated displacement, witnessing death and severe injuries, living under constant fear, losing their schools, friends, and daily routines that once provided stability and security, and being forced to survive in unsafe conditions.

This crisis is far more than a collection of statistics. It reflects the reality of an entire generation that has been orphaned and deprived of the most basic elements of a safe childhood. Through this campaign, we strive to ensure that every child feels they are not alone—that someone stands beside them and believes in their right to live with dignity, hope, and the opportunity for a better future.

13,500 Orphans Supported in 22 Countries Worldwide

Abdullah Al-Zaqzouq, Director of the Orphan Sponsorship Program at Life for Relief and Development, said:

“Life launched its Orphan Sponsorship Program more than 30 years ago. Since then, the organization has been committed to providing comprehensive support to every registered orphan throughout the sponsorship period. This support includes food assistance, clothing, educational support, healthcare services, school supplies, and holiday gifts for hundreds of orphanages and foster families.

Our work is guided by the belief that sponsoring a child is one of the most effective and compassionate ways to empower vulnerable children and communities while helping them break the cycle of poverty.

Our vision for Gaza’s orphans in the coming period is to provide comprehensive and sustainable support that addresses their urgent humanitarian needs while also promoting their long-term growth and development.

Although the organization is expected to place greater emphasis on Gaza because of the unprecedented humanitarian emergency there, Life’s commitment to orphans in every country where it operates remains unchanged. We are determined to ensure that expanding our efforts in one region will never come at the expense of children in other parts of the world.”

Specialized Humanitarian and Development Programs for Repeated Displacement

Life for Relief and Development also seeks to strengthen its comprehensive orphan care strategy by integrating emergency humanitarian response with long-term sustainable development across all of its programs and operational areas.

The organization recognizes the close connection between the circumstances of orphans, refugees, and internally displaced persons around the world. Many orphaned children are also refugees or internally displaced because of armed conflicts, natural disasters, or economic instability.

For this reason, Life adopts a comprehensive approach that addresses the unique needs of orphaned children within the broader context of displacement and forced migration. Its programs provide integrated support in education, mental health and psychosocial care, family tracing and reunification, and child protection services, while working closely with local and international partners to ensure continuity, coordination, and long-term effectiveness of care.

The Greatest Beneficiary of Sponsoring an Orphan Is the Sponsor

Angela Joyce, one of the participants in the campaign, said:

“Donating to orphan sponsorship and charitable causes does not only provide donors with a sense of fulfillment—it may also contribute to increasing their income and wealth. This aligns with Brooks’ research and reinforces the idea that generosity can produce measurable financial benefits.

Neuroscientists have found that the brain releases dopamine when people engage in acts of generosity, reinforcing positive emotions and encouraging continued giving.

Research conducted by Harvard Business School indicates that individuals who are more generous are 43% more likely to describe themselves as ‘very happy’ compared with those who do not donate.

In addition, a study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology found that people involved in charitable activities tend to build broader social networks. These relationships often develop into opportunities for economic growth and career advancement, as people naturally prefer to work with and support individuals they trust and whose generosity they value.”

For the Silo, Tasneem Elridi.

https://donate.lifeusa.org/donorportal/all-orphans-list

https://lifeusa.org/#social-media

Philanthropy

Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) Launches Emergency Response for Families Displaced by Escalating Conflict in Lebanon

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LIFE Expands Emergency Relief Efforts as Displacement Nears One Million Amid Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

According to Lebanese statistics for this month, more than 2,167 people have been killed, including 178 children and 262 women, in addition to over 7,061 injured, among them more than 600 injured children and 1,000 women, reflecting a clear and significant increase in the number of civilian casualties.

This escalation has led to the displacement of more than 1.2 million people within Lebanon, including approximately 370,000 displaced children, representing nearly 20% of the country’s population. Families have fled southern regions and the southern suburbs of, Mount Lebanon, and northern Lebanon, creating enormous pressure on cities and areas considered relatively safer, such as Beirut, Sidon, and Tripoli.

Displacement Crisis in Lebanon Leaves Over a Million Without Shelters

 Many displaced people are currently living in schools, shelters, and unprepared buildings amid a severe shortage of humanitarian assistance, while other families have taken refuge in improvised structures or even in vehicles due to the significant lack of available accommodation. Additionally, the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and refugees, face further difficulties in accessing shelter and assistance, in a context marked by attacks on civilian areas and residential homes, damage to infrastructure, and the shelling of ambulances and humanitarian aid facilities.

At the same time, the healthcare sector is under extreme pressure, with the risk that essential medicines and medical supplies—such as insulin, antibiotics, and surgical equipment—may soon run out due to the rising number of injured individuals and the growing demand for medical services. This is compounded by the shortage of fuel needed to operate electricity generators, a result of the chronic power crisis, which threatens hospitals’ ability to continue functioning, especially amid the severe shortage of life-saving medications.

The best meal Charity Initiative

On the living conditions front, the food crisis is worsening significantly, as hundreds of thousands of people face difficulties securing their basic needs due to rising prices, declining purchasing power, and the continued collapse of the local currency. Moreover, international aid has declined due to funding shortages, leading to increased poverty levels and food insecurity, along with water shortages and rising fuel prices, further intensifying the suffering of both residents and displaced populations.

Amid all these developments, the Lebanese economy continues to deteriorate, with rising unemployment rates and the suspension of numerous commercial and economic activities, pushing more families into poverty and increasing reliance on humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, international warnings are growing about the possibility of further deterioration in the coming months if military escalation continues and international support declines.

Life for Relief and Development has initiated an emergency response program in Lebanon, alongside its ongoing “Khair Wajbah” (Best Meal) campaign aimed at strengthening food security. The organization first began its humanitarian work in Lebanon in 2006, following the outbreak of war, when approximately a quarter of the population was displaced internally. During that period, and amid the widespread use of landmines and cluster munitions, Life concentrated its efforts on providing urgent relief and temporary shelter for affected families.

Education, Psychosocial Support, and Orphan Care

Samer Kassab, Coordinator of Life’s office in northern Lebanon, states:

“For emergency relief, Life distributed comprehensive food baskets—each containing around 20 kilograms of essential staples—to 525 families in southern Lebanon (Tyre), including displaced households in Palestinian camps, as well as another 525 families in Tripoli and Akkar. The team also organized a collective iftar for 200 families and delivered hot meals to 400 displaced households.

At the end of Ramadan and during Eid, the ‘Khair Wajbah’ initiative provided meals to 1,222 families across northern Lebanon. In parallel, Life organized an orphan-focused event where monthly financial support and Eid clothing were distributed, along with meals, gifts, sweets, and toys, contributing to both material relief and psychological well-being for children and their families.

Seasonal assistance programs were also implemented, including the distribution of winter clothing and essential supplies to vulnerable camp residents to ensure protection during harsh weather conditions.”

In addition, the organization has supported Lebanon’s education sector by facilitating the return of primary and middle school students to classrooms, rehabilitating damaged schools, and offering scholarships for university students—helping invest in long-term educational development for future generations.

Integrated Support for Vulnerable Populations

Engineer Mohammed Al-Sharif, Coordinator of Life’s Lebanon office, outlines recent humanitarian conditions:

“Our programs currently reach more than 103,000 displaced individuals across the country, 70% of whom are women and children. Over half of children under two years old are experiencing severe food deprivation, while nearly 80% of families require urgent humanitarian assistance.”

Approximately 1.17 million people are facing acute food insecurity, including 55,000 in emergency-level conditions. Camps and shelters continue to suffer from shortages of clean water, adequate nutrition, and sanitation services, significantly increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. The situation has further deteriorated due to expired medications, ongoing power outages, and fuel shortages.

Over the past three years, Life has strengthened its healthcare response by supplying hospitals with medicines, medical equipment, ambulances, and emergency relief materials, while also implementing sustained programs for displaced communities and refugees. Special attention has also been directed toward elderly individuals and people with disabilities.

Strengthening the Health Sector: A Core Priority

He further adds:

“As part of this month’s emergency response, Life has assisted 2,400 families by distributing ready-to-eat food packages, hot meals, emergency shelter kits (including mattresses and blankets), multipurpose cash assistance, hygiene kits, dignity kits for women, and essential supplies for children such as milk and diapers. Access to mobile medical services has also been ensured.”

Over the past year, Life has provided comprehensive medical support to six major hospitals across Lebanon, supplying essential medications, medical equipment, operating room tools, and emergency response materials.

The organization has also delivered medical equipment to L’Ecoute NGO in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which serves people with disabilities, and to Arcenciel in Beirut, supporting marginalized communities. Additional equipment was supplied to medical laboratories and to the Asile Maronite des Vieillards center in Mount Lebanon.”

For the Silo, Tasneem Elridi.

For More Information:

linktr.ee/LIFEUSA
https://www.lifeusa.org/lebanon-emergency-relief

Featured image- Mohammad Yassine/L’Orient-Le Jour

Philanthropy

LIFE for Relief and Development in Its 33rd Ramadan: A Call for Unified Humanitarian Efforts to Confront Famine in The Developing World

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As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches—bringing with it the values of mercy and solidarity—this year arrives amid a profoundly harsh humanitarian reality across vast regions of the Arab world.

Among the scattered tents of displacement that have become refuge for the uprooted, and in homes reduced to rubble—leaving behind only ruins, grief, and the names of the missing—some fasting individuals will observe Ramadan at meager tables, continuing their daily struggle to secure the simplest iftar meal after long hours of fasting. Others will fast without knowing how they will obtain their next meal.

Millions of Meals and Thousands of Beneficiaries

Humanitarian initiatives multiply each year, yet their impact varies. Some alleviate hardship, while others fall short of addressing the depth and complexity of ongoing crises.

For 33 years, LIFE for Relief and Development has mobilized its efforts to fulfill its humanitarian mission during the holy month of Ramadan by implementing relief programs focused on meeting the basic needs of the poorest and most vulnerable families. Through the distribution of food parcels and the organization of communal and individual iftar meals, LIFE’s assistance reaches hundreds of thousands of families in need worldwide.

LIFE teams were present in 37 of the 60 countries where the organization operates sustainable development and relief projects. During Ramadan 2025, nearly 6 million meals were distributed through 16,000 nutritionally balanced food baskets. Additionally, 51,000 freshly prepared hot meals were provided, benefiting approximately 97,000 fasting individuals in need.

Gaza: A Communal Iftar Amid the Rubble

Gaza stood at the forefront of LIFE’s efforts. Amid the devastating landscape and the remnants of war, displaced families recall memories of past Ramadans—when loved ones gathered around one table and smiles preceded the meal. Though those scenes now seem distant, LIFE continues to revive the spirit of solidarity, instilling a glimmer of mercy and hope in hearts exhausted by crisis.

LIFE worked to provide food security for 2,883 families—sufficient to sustain them for three months—alongside organizing communal iftar gatherings open to anyone in need. Despite being held atop the rubble, these gatherings brought moments of joy to attendees.

In addition, Eid celebrations were organized for orphans, benefiting 7,660 orphaned families, including 1,200 families at a special Gaza orphan event. Iftar and suhoor meals were also distributed at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Confronting Famine in Sudan

From Sudan, we spoke with Ms. Rima Bakir, LIFE’s Projects Coordinator in Sudan, who described the scale of suffering:

“Ramadan will arrive for many children in Sudan not with joy, but with hunger and deprivation. They will welcome the month with empty stomachs, fear, exhaustion, and severe food shortages.

Pregnant and nursing women suffer from malnutrition and increasing health risks, while widows bear a doubled burden in securing food for their children after losing the family breadwinner amid rising living costs. They are living through daily hardship and a continuous struggle for survival.

Over the past year, we tracked displaced families in Kassala, where we provided suhoor and iftar meals to 845 families affected by the war. We also distributed nutritionally integrated food baskets weighing approximately 30 kilograms to support children’s healthy growth, in addition to providing clothing for orphans.”

Targeting the Poorest and Most Remote Communities

Regarding this year’s anticipated activities, Omar Mamdouh, Director of Projects, stated:

“We will intensify our teams’ efforts in the poorest areas facing potential famine, according to United Nations reports. We plan to support vulnerable families and displaced populations in crisis zones by strengthening social solidarity and spreading joy through food assistance projects, organizing iftar gatherings, and distributing hot meals and food baskets in remote areas often beyond the reach of charitable organizations.

Before Eid, we will also implement orphan sponsorship initiatives by providing Eid clothing, gifts, and financial and food assistance. We will distribute zakat and charitable donations to the most deserving beneficiaries, in addition to facilitating fidya and kaffarah contributions.”

Ranked Third Among the Best Organizations Fighting Poverty and Hunger

Vicky Robb, Director of International Programs, added:

“We will expand our food assistance projects in developing countries, particularly in displacement camps where children are suffering—such as those along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, in war-affected regions of Sudan and parts of Africa, and in countries facing silent poverty in Southeast Asia.

LIFE distinguishes itself by strategically targeting areas inaccessible to most relief organizations—whether due to the severity of war, as currently in Gaza, Sudan, and Lebanon. Our teams have delivered Ramadan meals and food baskets on foot. In Bangladesh, they navigated deadly floods by boat to reach the hungry. In Afghanistan, despite mud and extremely difficult terrain, food was transported on horseback. In Tanzania, our teams left their own families for days to reach remote communities where hunger persists and infants cry silently from malnutrition. They relied on multiple forms of transportation to ensure aid reached beneficiaries before the start of the holy month.”

For the Silo, Tasneem El-Ridi.

For more information:
http://bit.ly/4rUIsqa
https://linktr.ee/LIFEUSA.ar