As part of the ongoing humanitarian efforts led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the brotherly Palestinian people, and in a testament to the deep fraternal ties between the two nations, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center implementing its urgent relief programs on the ground in the Gaza Strip. Yesterday, the Center established and equipped a new shelter camp in Gaza City, primarily designated to receive and house families returning from forced displacement in the central and southern parts of the Strip.
This swift action comes in response to the catastrophic situation in which the residents found themselves upon returning to inspect their homes, as they were confronted with the enormous scale of destruction that affected the infrastructure and residential buildings, leaving them without shelter from the heat of the sun or the vagaries of the weather, especially in light of the lack of basic services.
In response to the challenges of the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood
The camp's location was carefully chosen in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, one of the hardest-hit areas in Gaza City, which suffered widespread destruction of residential units. This project aims to provide urgent and dignified housing solutions for families who lost their homes entirely, thus strengthening their resilience and enabling them to remain in their original areas instead of being displaced again in search of shelter.
Field reports indicate that the return of residents to the northern areas and Gaza City faces complex logistical and humanitarian challenges, most notably the lack of safe shelter, which makes the King Salman Relief Center’s initiative a pivotal step in alleviating this humanitarian crisis.
Integration of Saudi relief efforts
The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, the implementing partner for the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's operations in the Gaza Strip, oversaw the implementation of this field project. The support extended beyond setting up tents and providing shelter; the intervention also included distributing comprehensive food baskets to beneficiary families to meet their essential nutritional needs in the initial days after their return and to support efforts to stabilize their livelihoods amidst the scarcity of food resources in local markets.
This initiative is an integral part of the Saudi popular campaign to aid the Palestinian people, which was directed by the Saudi leadership since the beginning of the crisis, and which included operating air and sea bridges carrying thousands of tons of medical, food and shelter aid, to alleviate the suffering of those affected in the sector.
Human impact and social dimensions
This step is of strategic importance that goes beyond mere temporary shelter; it contributes to preserving the city's social fabric by encouraging families to return and settle in their neighborhoods despite the devastation. Many of the beneficiary families expressed their deep gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people, emphasizing that the swift response and provision of shelter and food restored their sense of security and human dignity after months of suffering and repeated displacement.
This project affirms the Kingdom’s firm and unwavering commitment to stand by the Palestinian people in all their trials and tribulations, and to harness all capabilities to provide urgent and effective humanitarian assistance that directly addresses the needs of the Palestinian citizen.
