Surviving is the only thing people in Gaza are currently thinking about, says Milton Zhakata. The international care provider was recently there for the fourth time. He is becoming heavier and heavier, he tells NU.nl. “The people you leave behind have nothing.”
Zhakata works as an area manager at aid organization Care and returned last week. He was in Gaza for four weeks and now gets a few weeks to rest. That is the standard procedure for international care providers. Zhakata will return in August.
“It doesn’t feel right to leave. Because you leave people who have nothing,” he says. Zhakata can sleep safely in the Jordanian capital Amman, while he knows that the people who are left in Gaza cannot do that. “They go to bed hungry.” They also live in fear of bombing or shelling.
“In Gaza, every day is different,” says Zhakata. When he was there, he could still work from the office in Deir Al-Balah. In the meantime, that office has been abandoned because the Israeli army has announced an evacuation warrant for that area. Evacuations are still the order of the day in Gaza, he emphasizes. “If you are somewhere today, that is no guarantee that you will still be there tomorrow.”
People get an evacuation warrant after evacuation warrant. In the beginning they took a lot of things with them, but now no more, Zhakata stands out. “They are almost left empty -handed, which really indicates how hopeless the situation is.”
‘There is nothing in Gaza anymore’
Care supplies emergency aid such as food, blankets and mattresses. “We have to do with what we get in, because there is nothing left in Gaza.”
The emergency aid was largely taken over by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) at the end of May. That organization is very controversial, partly because of the large numbers of people who died in the vicinity of the auxiliary points.
Journalists from The Wall Street Journal and The Economist have been to a GHF point and described it as a chaotic place. “At one point they lost control of the crowd and withdrew.” Then the relief supplies were caught by those who stood in the front row and there was nothing left for the rest, one of the journalists told the British Medium BBC .
Nu.nl spoke with Zhakata earlier this week. On Sunday it was announced that Israel has announced daily combat breaks in three areas in Gaza to admit more help. A convoy of trucks with relief supplies entered the Gaza Strip for the first time in months on Sunday, although the effect of it is still unclear.
Israel and countries such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates also started with food in Gaza. Aid organizations are critical of the Droppings and they mentioned a “drop on a glowing plate”.
‘Protect box against other hungry people’
Zhakata strikes that you can now see people in Gaza that they are malnourished. This way many people have almost no energy anymore. “You see physically that people are hungry, starving,” he says. That was even different on his previous visit. People no longer talk about their damaged houses. “It is now about survival, about ensuring that you get the next day.”
“There was a time when I left Gaza with a lot of hope,” Zhakata recalls. But this time he left with a heavy feeling. People have no hope anymore, he emphasizes. And that is how he feels after his departure from the area. “Completely desperate.”
Survival is the only thing people in Gaza Are Thinking About Right Now, Says Milton Zhakata. The International Aid Worker was there for the fourth time recent. Leaving is getting harder and harder for him, he tells nu.nl. “The People you Leave Beind Have Nothing.”
Zhakata Works As An Area Manager at Aid Organization Care and Returned Last Week. He was in Gaza for Four Weeks and Now has a few week to rest. That is the Standard procedure for International Aid Workers. Zhakata Will Return in August.
“It Doesn’t Feel Good to Leave. Because you leave people behind who have nothing,” He says. In The Jordanian Capital Amman, Zhakata Can Sleep Safely, While He Knows That The People Who Stay Behind in Gaza Cannot. “They go to bed hungry.” They also live in fear of bombings or shelling.
“Every day is different in Gaza,” Says Zhakata. When he was there, he could still work from the office in Deir al-Balah. That office has now leg abandoned because the Israeli army has Issued an evacuation order for that area. Evacuations are still the order of the day in Gaza, He Emphasizes. “If you are somewhere today, there is no guarantee that you will still be there tomorrow.”
People Receive Evacuation Order After Evacuation Order. In The Beginning, They Tok a Lot Of Things with Them, But Now they Don’t Anymore, Zhakata Notices. “They are now going almost empty-handed, which is really indicates how hopeless the situation is.”
‘There is Nothing Left in Gaza’
CARE PROVIDES EMERGENCY AID SUCH AS FOOD, Blankets and Mattresses. “We have to make do with what we recurrent, because there is Nothing Left in Gaza.”
The Emergency Aid was Largely tasks about by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) at the End of May. That organization is very controversial, partly because of the large number of people who near the aid points.
Journalists from the Wall Street Journal and the Economist Have Been to a GHF Point and Described It As A Chaotic Place. “At One Point They Lost Control of the Crowd and Withdrew.” Then the Aid Goods Were Grabbed by Those At The Front of the Line And Nothing was Left for the Rest, One of the Journalists Told The British Medium BBC .
Nu.nl Spoke to Zhakata Earlier This Week. On Sunday it was announced that Israel Has Announced Daily Combat Pauses in Three Areas of Gaza to Allow More Aid to Enter. A Convoy of Trucks with Aid Supplies Entered the Gaza Strip for the First Time in Months on Sunday, Althegh the Effect of this is Still Unclear.
Israel and Countries Such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates Have also Started Air Drops of Food in Gaza. Aid Organizations Are Critical of the Air Drops and Have Repeatedly Called Them A “Drop in the Ocean”.
‘Protecting box from Other Hungry People’
Zhakata Notices That You Can Now See People in Gaza Are Malnourished. For Example, Many People Have Almost No Energy Left. “You physically see that people are Staring, Staring,” He says. That was different duration his previous visit. People No Longer Talk About Their Damaged Homes. “It’s now about survival, about making sure you get through the next day.”
“There was a time when I left gaza with a lot of hope,” Zhakata Recalls. But this time he read with a heavy feeling. People have no hope anymore, he emphasizes. And that’s how he feels after leaving the area. “Completely desperate.”