In Amman, Jordan, families from the Gaza Strip, displaced by ongoing conflict and seeking critical medical care for their cancer-stricken children, found a measure of relief through a recent dental outreach program. On October 16, 2025, Tzu Chi volunteers and medical professionals provided much-needed dental services and emergency medical assistance to these vulnerable families, offering a moment of respite and care amidst profound hardship.

The initiative began on September 15, 2025, when the Palestinian Medical Aid Organization (MAP) alerted Tzu Chi Jordan about 127 families (which grew to 142 families, totaling 380 individuals by October 16) temporarily residing at the Al Fanar Hotel in Amman, all in urgent need of dental care. Each of these family had traveled from Gaza to Amman because they had a child suffering from cancer and had been transported to Jordan to receive cancer treatment.

International Support for Gaza's Children

On September 21, 2025, Tzu Chi Jordan volunteers including Chiou-Hwa Chen (陳秋華), Mohamed Khir Alriz, Khader Khalifeh, Lamiya Lin (林綠卿), and Dr. Amjad Othman met with MAP to understand the situation. These Gaza families are housed across 12 hotels, with their medical expenses, accommodation, and meals sponsored by various international organizations. A key supporter for cancer-stricken children is St. Jude Global, a US-based medical aid organization, collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF USA.

This comprehensive aid package covers all treatment costs for cancer-stricken children at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan, along with accommodation and three meals a day for the child and one accompanying family member—some for several years. Additionally, each family receives a monthly allowance of 100 USD. However, the program does not cover the medical needs of the accompanying family members or any non-cancer-related medical issues for the children. The majority of these families, 128 households (approximately 320 people), reside at the Al Fanar Hotel.

Providing Essential Dental Care

On October 15, 2025, Tzu Chi volunteers set up the mobile dental clinic, installing generators, compressors, and portable dental chairs. The following morning, October 16, ten dentists and Tzu Chi volunteers arrived, ready to serve the Gaza families. The clinic began promptly at 9 AM. A total of 93 patients were registered, with 107 patients attending in the end. Of these, around 80 patients required follow-up treatment, including three children with special needs who would require general anesthesia for their procedures.

Among the children needing care was Hisham, a four-year-old boy who suffered severe burns from a bombing before leaving Gaza. He is now reluctant to show his face to strangers or open his mouth for examination, despite enduring six months of toothache that causes him to cry every night, his mother described. Another child, Huriya, an eight-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, also requires general anesthesia for her dental treatment.

Stories of Resilience

Shaima Zaarab, a 29-year-old mother of six, arrived in Jordan eight months pregnant. Her eldest daughter, 13, suffers from leukemia. Shaima recounted the terrifying experience of fleeing Gaza during the conflict. With no gasoline or transportation, she pushed her daughter in a tricycle to seek medical treatment. As airstrikes intensified, her family moved south. Her husband had lost an arm and a leg in a previous airstrike, limiting his mobility.

That night felt like the end of the world. Everyone ran from their homes, not knowing where their siblings had gone. I told my children, 'Hold hands, run forward, don't stop, don't look back. If we die, you must continue to live.' – Shaima Zaarab

After reaching the south, they lived on the beach in makeshift tents made of blankets, quilts, and plastic sheets. For six months, they washed with seawater, and for three months, they did not see a single piece of bread. They endured winter rains and summer temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius. When they were finally able to return home, they found their house reduced to rubble. In May 2025, Gaza's last cancer treatment hospital was destroyed.

Shaima shared the story about her younger brother, who took his university entrance exam amidst the despair in Gaza. He told her:

I wish I had cancer too, so I could apply to leave and study abroad.
–Shaima's younger brother

I want to name my baby sister Siwar, so if I die, my sister will remember me, and that her name was given by her older sister.
–Shaima's eldest daughter (seven months before arriving in Jordan)

Despite the unimaginable suffering, Shaima observed that all the cancer-stricken families hold onto one hope: to cure the cancer and return to Gaza. "No one longs for the comfortable life or safe environment in Jordan," she stated. Their unwavering belief and dignified resolve are deeply moving. Even after enduring immense oppression, their faces bear smiles, and their words are filled with gratitude.

Shahinaz Kaskin, a 43-year-old mother from Khan Yunis, Gaza, was another recipient of emergency aid. Her daughter, Rahaf, was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 10, coinciding with the outbreak of war. Shahinaz explained that they discovered the tumor after applying to the Ministry of Health for overseas treatment. They traveled to Egypt for tumor removal surgery, stayed for two months, and then came to the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan for continued treatment. "Thanks to Allah, the tumor is stable, but she has lost her sight," Shahinaz said. Her other children remained in Gaza, including her youngest daughter, who was one year and eight months old when Shahinaz left.

We have been in Jordan for one year and seven months, and we pray to Allah for our safe reunion. The hardest part in Jordan is being away from our loved ones and worrying about their safety during the war. We are well taken care of here, thanks to Allah and the kind people. We thank the people of Jordan and King Abdullah for helping Gaza's cancer children.
– Shahinaz Kaskin

Shahinaz recently faced an emergency herself. "Last Friday, I was rushed to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain and swelling. At Akilah Hospital, Dr. Mohanad diagnosed me with gallstones. I had surgery on Sunday to remove them, and Tzu Chi Foundation helped me with the costs." She added, "May Allah bless and protect all of you. I am doing well now and very grateful for your efforts for the Palestinian people. Surgery in Jordan is very expensive. If I hadn't had the surgery, if Tzu Chi hadn't helped me, I might still be in pain, or perhaps even dead. (I would not be here) without this Taiwanese charity organization. May Allah send all blessings to everyone. I had the surgery, I am healthy now, and I feel better every day."

A Voice for the Families

Mahmoud Ashour, 31, serves as a volunteer representative for the Gaza cancer patient families. He came to Jordan in May 2024 with his three-year-old niece, who has left eye cancer, as her parents could not obtain exit permits. He left his wife and three children behind in Gaza.

"I represent the Gaza cancer patient families staying at the Al-Fanar Palace Hotel, extending our deepest gratitude to the Tzu Chi Foundation for their medical care and health assistance to Gaza families.

Under the shadow of this cruel war, we, the people of Gaza, have endured immense hardship, whether those who remained in Gaza or those who left. Today's medical outreach highlights a part of the suffering of the people of Gaza. Thank you, Tzu Chi, for helping alleviate their suffering and providing medical assistance, both inside and outside Gaza."
– Mahmoud Ashour

Beyond medical aid, the dentists also engaged with the children, bringing moments of joy and laughter. Jordanian dentist Zaid Hamdan, 26, expressed his honor in participating. "Today, as a Tzu Chi volunteer, I am privileged to treat cancer patients from Gaza and their families. We offer various dental services: extractions, fillings, fluoride treatment, and scaling. I am grateful to Tzu Chi for creating this opportunity, and I hope it continues for a long time. We will be with you." He noted that the past two years have been a time of great suffering for the people of Gaza, and Jordanian doctors are eager to provide more humanitarian aid. This dental outreach is hoped to be a positive beginning.

Compiled from information provided by Tzu Chi Jordan