In March 2026, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, displaced families in the Gaza Strip received much-needed food supplies through a joint effort by the Tzu Chi Turkey office, the Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation, and El Menahil International School. Operating in areas including Gaza City, Nuseirat, and Deir al-Balah, 15 local volunteers braved the risk of ongoing airstrikes to deliver food baskets to 812 households, providing vital sustenance to approximately 4,000 people.
Refugees supporting refugees
The funds for this distribution were raised through the dedication of the Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation and the community at El Menahil International School in Turkey. Embracing the spirit of small, consistent giving, the teachers and students at the school organized charity sales and collected spare change, ultimately raising around 48,000 USD.
Because the majority of the students and staff at El Menahil are Syrian refugees who have personally experienced the hardships of war and displacement, they deeply understand the struggles currently faced by the people in Gaza. Their eagerness to contribute created a profound connection where refugees are taking action to help and protect fellow refugees.
Delivering relief amid blockades
Since the strict border blockade began in 2007, residents of the Gaza Strip have faced severe restrictions on movement. The situation worsened significantly with the conflict that erupted in October 2023. Since then, the region has seen over 90,000 lives lost, with more than 90 percent of the population forced to flee their homes and become internally displaced.
In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, Tzu Chi and the Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation deepened their collaboration in 2025. Moving beyond external support, they successfully initiated hot food distributions directly within Gaza. By February 2026, 31 distributions had been completed, benefiting over 50,000 individuals.
Yaser Cheng (鄭泰祥), Chairman of the Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation, noted that Tzu Chi's practical experience in international relief ensures that the distribution process is orderly and respectful. He added that the ability to track and follow up on the deliveries provides substantial, reliable help to the displaced families.
Remote coordination and local action
Due to blockades and severe material shortages, the execution of these distributions relies entirely on the courage of local volunteers. Tzu Chi provided remote training, guiding the local team to conduct door-to-door visits to assess the specific needs and sizes of each family. Based on these assessments, appropriate quantities of rice, flour, canned goods, and cooking oil were allocated.
The volunteers established a clear operational flow, from the initial home visits and data collection to the final distribution and signature verification. Even as airstrikes occurred in the area during the distribution period, the 15 local volunteers remained committed to their mission, ensuring that the essential supplies reached everyone, including those with limited mobility who could not leave their shelters.
This cross-border relief effort spanned 1,170 kilometers from Turkey to Gaza. It demonstrated that even in highly restricted humanitarian environments, remote coordination combined with local empowerment can successfully deliver essential supplies and care. Moving forward, the collaborative effort will continue to find ways to transport relief goods into Gaza, bringing a glimmer of hope to families striving to survive amid the conflict.
Written by Yi-Ting Wang (王藝婷)
