Disaster Relief in Gaza 2008

The Gaza War, also known as Operation Cast Lead or the Gaza Massacre, was the period in which a three-week armed conflict between Gaza and Israel ensued. The tragic attacks began on 27 December 2008 and ended in a unilateral call for a ceasefire on 18 January 2009. This violent onslaught resulted in the death of between 1 166 and 1 417 Palestinians.

A substantial portion of the Gaza Strip economic infrastructure was annihilated and adversely affected peoples capacity to support their livelihoods: 700 businesses were either damaged/destroyed, with losses amounting to $140 million; the agricultural sector suffered damages worth $170 million; over 3 354 houses were lost and an additional 11 112 homes were partially damaged. The crippling aftermath has stunted the nation, with many unable to re-establish their livelihoods.

Gift of the Givers Response:

We responded to civilians in Gaza, who had suffered great loss as a result of the war, with an 84-ton relief aid package.

Our R15 million humanitarian aid mission to Gaza aimed to alleviate the suffering of those affected by a war which had cost many their lives, injuring many more and causing massive damage to homes and infrastructure.

We dispatched aid aboard a Boeing 747 comprising vital medical equipment and supplies, medicines, bottled water, food, baby milk and a high-energy protein supplement. A 25-member specialist medical team accompanied the supplies, which worked tirelessly to heal the injured.

We also provided generators, blankets, wheelchairs and a fully-equipped ambulance to bring some relief to those trying to cope in the war-torn region.