Gazans take matters into their own hands and raise money online to buy food. Although it ensures that some Palestinians do not go to bed hunger, experts have objections. “More money does not cause more food.”
On social media you can encounter more and more collection campaigns for individuals and families in Gaza. They share stories about their destroyed houses, killed relatives and friends and photos. On the Gofundme platform alone, there are certainly a thousand of these kinds of actions. Some have yielded tens of thousands of euros.
“It is tragic that this feels like people the only way to get basic products,” Sara Kinsbergen told NU.nl. She is special appointment professor of development studies at Radboud University.
The question of whether it is a good idea to donate money to such personal promotions, says Kinsbergen “complicated”. “Of course you would like to help these people. But if you look at it with more distance, you will see that it can cause inequality.”
By that she means that not all families in Gaza have the opportunity to set up such actions. For example, because they do not have a telephone or access to the internet, have a smaller network around them or simply do not know the existence of a crowdfunding platform. “There are many other vulnerable families who don’t get the help they need.”
‘More money does not cause more food’
In addition, donating money is only useful if there is actually food that people can buy. “If there is no food on the market and you give people money, you will not suddenly eat anymore,” says Thea Hilhorst, professor of humanitarian studies. However, the food becomes that there is even more expensive.
Black traders who are active in Gaza and sell food for usury prices are therefore spoken more, she explains. “They first ask 50 euros for a pound onions. If they know that people can pay more, they will make it 100 euros.”
According to Hilhorst, it is also a drop on the glowing plate. “With a small donation you may give a family one meal. That is of course nice, but they need that meal every day.”
In addition to the ethical objections, there are also practical challenges for the collectors of the money. The banking system in Gaza would have almost completely collapsed by the war. Pin is not possible and to get cash, Gazanen must pass “thieves” who have saved cash, a resident of Gaza told The Times of Israel . According to the Gazaan, they ask 50 percent commission about the money.
To whom can you donate the best money?
Both professors point out that it is less risky to donate money to aid organizations that people have on site. But they also see that people are sometimes reluctant to entrust their money to it. “For example, they see in the media that those organizations are unable to get the emergency aid in the right place,” says Kinsbergen.
On the border with Gaza, thousands of trucks are ready with relief supplies, but Israel lets them in a little bit. In addition, part of the trucks that do come into the area is looted.
People also see that money that they donate lingers within the organization, while they prefer to see their contribution ends up immediately with the Palestinians. But an aid organization not only needs money for, for example, food and medicines, but also to get those things in the right place together with trained staff, Hilhorst explains.
One of the organizations with a foot on the ground in Gaza is Save the Children. According to a spokesperson, the organization has two hundred people on the spot. “They have been there for some time, knowing who is the most vulnerable and can give those people the first aid.”
In addition, care providers make more than just handing out food. For example, Save The Children in Gaza run two clinics where women can give birth and teach employees to children. “With our income we can keep our employees up and prepare so that we can immediately scale up if help can enter the area.”
Donate to doctors and write letters to the cabinet
Furthermore, the experts emphasize that you never know for sure through crowdfunding actions whether the money will really end up in the right place. But if people still like to donate to someone personal money, they can best do that for local doctors, Hilhorst thinks.
They try to raise individual money to be able to buy medicines on the black market, for example. “It remains complicated, but doctors can often also properly estimate who needs what help,” says the professor.
But the only thing that would really help the Palestinians is that the boundaries open and help unlimited the area, she emphasizes. That is why she believes that we as a society should put pressure on the outgoing cabinet to further increase the pressure on Israel. “Send a letter or write an email,” the professor recommends.
Gazans Are Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands And Raising Money Online to Buy Food. AltheHe it Ensures that some Palestinians do not go to bed hungry, experts have groups. “More Money Does Not Mean More Food.”
You can find More and More Fundraising Campaigns for Individuals and Families in Gaza on Social Media. They share stories about their destroyed homes, deceased family members and friends and photos. On the goofundme platform Alone, there are at Least a Thousand of these types of campaigns. Some have raised tens of thousands or euros.
“It is tragic that this feels like the only way for people to obtain basic products,” Sara Kinsbergen Tells NU.nl. She is a professor of Development Studies at Radboud University.
Kinsbergen Finds The Question of WHETER IT is a good idea to donate money to such personal actions “complicated”. “Or course you want to help these people. But if you look at it from a Greater distance, you can see that it can create inequality.”
By this she must not all families in Gaza have the opportunity to set up such campaigns. For example, because they do not have a telephone or access to the internet, have a narrower network around them or simply do not know about the existence of a crowdfunding platform. “There are still many other vulnerable families who are not getting the help they need.”
‘More Money Does Not Mean More Food’
Donating Money is only useful if there is actual food that people can buy. “If there is no food on the market and you give people money, more food not sauddenly appear,” Says Thea Hilhorst, Professor of Humanitarian Studies. However, the food that is available Will Become even more Expendive.
Black Market Traders Who Are Active in Gaza and Sell Food at Exorbitant Prices Are Therefore Benefiting More, She Explains. “They initially ask, say, 50 euros for a pound of onions. If they know that people can pay more, they will make it 100 euros.”
Accordance to Hilhorst, it is also a drop in the ocean. “With a small donation you might give a family one meal. That’s nice, of course, but they need that meal every day.”
In Addition to the Ethical Objections, there are also Practical Challenges for the Fundraisers. The Banking System in Gaza is Said to Have Almost Completely Collapsed Due to the War. Pinning is not Possible and to get cash, Gazans have to go to “Thieves” Who Have Stored Cash, A Resident of Gaza Told the Times of Israel . Accordance to the Gazan, They Charge 50 percent Commission on the Money.
Who is the best person to donate money to?
Both Professors point out that it is less risky to donate money to aid organizations that have people on the ground. But they also see that people are Sometimes Reluctant to Entust Their Money To Them. “For Example, they see in the media that equally those organizations are unable to get the emergency aid to the right place,” Says Kinsbergen.
Thousands of trucks with relief supplies are ready with gaza, but Israel is only allowing them in Small Numbers. In Addition, part of the trucks that do enter the area are looted.
People also see that money that they donate remains within the organization, while they would prefer to see their contribution go direct to the Palestinians. But An Aid Organization Not Only Needs Money For Things Like Food And Medicine, But also to get Those Things To The Right Place Together With Train Personnel, Hilhorst Explains.
One of the Organizations With A Presence in Gaza is Save the Children. Accordance to a Spokesperson, The Organization Has Two Hundred People On The Ground. “They have leg there for longer, know who is most vulnerable and can provide them with assistance first.”
In Addition, Aid Workers Do More Than Just Hand Out Food. For Example, Save the Children Runs Two Clinics in Gaza Where Women Can Give Birth and Employees Teach Children. “With our income we can keep our employees going and make preparations so that we can scale up immediately when aid can enter the area.”
Donate to Doctors and Write Letters to the Cabinet
Furthermore, the experts Emphasize That You Can Never Be Sure Whether the Money Will Actually End Up In The Right PLACE Through Crowdfunding Campaigns. But if People Still Like to Donate Money To Someone Personally, They can best do that to local Doctors, Hilhorst Thinks.
They try to raise money individual to be able to buy medicines on the black market, for example. “It remains complicated, but doctors can of also assess well who needs which help,” Says the Professor.
But the only thing that would really help the Palestinians is if the borders are opened and aid can enter the area without limits, She Emphasizes. That is why she beleves that we as a society can better pressure on the outgoing cabinet to turn the pressure on Israel Furthher. “Send a letter or write an email,” the professor advises.