Together Through the Crisis: An Access for All Initiative Supporting the Displaced and People with Disabilities in Deir Al-Balah Camps
Over several days, the Access for All network implemented the Together Through the Crisis initiative in the city of Deir Al-Balah in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip. This effort falls under the project “Enhancing the Autonomy and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Gaza Strip,” which is implemented by the Social Developmental Forum in partnership with the Medical Aid for Palestinians Association – MAP.
The initiative served as a practical and rapid response to the urgent humanitarian needs within the displacement camps of the Gaza Strip, addressing in particular the struggle faced by families that include persons with disabilities in obtaining safe drinking water.
Support for the Displaced and Raising Awareness
The Together Through the Crisis initiative helped improve these families’ access to water and increased their water storage capacity by providing 60 families with additional 20-liter storage gallons. This was complemented by efforts to raise community awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities to easily access basic services.
The initiative was more than just a distribution of supplies; it represented a model of community solidarity and collaborative action between the initiative’s team, youth volunteers, and camp management. It demonstrated that even small-scale interventions can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
The initiative reached approximately 450 displaced individuals in the “Ard Abu Harb” camp in the Al-Masha’ala area of Deir Al-Balah. It encompassed three main activities: an awareness-raising workshop, the distribution of water gallons, and an interactive volunteer day involving both displaced camp residents and local youth.
Awareness-Raising Workshop
An awareness-raising workshop was conducted, targeting youth volunteers, camp management, persons with disabilities, and their families. The session focused on the rights of people with disabilities and the critical importance of facilitating their access to essential services. It also featured practical discussions on how to support this group during emergencies. The workshop saw the participation of approximately 29 displaced individuals.
Distribution Process
Youth volunteers from the Access for All network distributed water storage gallons to over 60 displaced families affected by the war. This provision enables them to store an additional supply of water, thereby reducing the daily burden of commuting to secure it.
Volunteer Day
On the initiative’s third day, A4A youth provided a truckload of safe drinking water for displaced individuals in the “Ard Abu Harb” camp. The water was distributed throughout the camp in cooperation with volunteers, who facilitated the filling of gallons and their transport to the tents of beneficiary families. This effort served as a powerful opportunity to strengthen a spirit of cooperation and left a profoundly positive impact on the local community.
A Marked Impact and Invaluable Service
Heba Shaqfa, a displaced woman in the camp and with a disability, shared: “We received a 20-liter water gallon for my son, and today they brought us a truckload of clean water. Alhamdulillah, with the help of the camp’s youth and the initiative’s volunteers, and in coordination with the camp management, we were able to fill it. This has helped us immensely in storing water, and we would like to thank them for their efforts and contribution.”
There was a clear focus on persons with disabilities as one of the most vulnerable groups in society. They also held an awareness session for us on the rights of people with disabilities and the importance of their inclusion in the community. The following day, they brought us a truckload of clean water, helped organize the distribution line, and assisted people with disabilities and their families in carrying the water to their tents.
Shahd Murshid, displaced in the camp
The Youth Innovates and Implements
The Together Through the Crisis initiative was met with positive engagement from all sides within the camp. Beneficiary families expressed their appreciation for the provision of storage gallons, which enabled them to store water more safely and easily, noting that this step alleviated a significant and recurring daily burden.
The young volunteers, in turn, expressed deep value for the hands-on experience, which gave them a practical understanding of the rights of people with disabilities. They affirmed that their participation in the activities reinforced their sense of responsibility towards their community.
It wasn’t just about distributing water or gallons; it was a clear message that solidarity can make a real difference. It brought together awareness and field action—from the awareness workshop that helped us elevate the community’s understanding of the rights of people with disabilities, to the distribution of gallons and the volunteer water-filling day, where we all felt the power of solidarity. Most importantly, people with disabilities were at the very heart and foundation of this initiative. They are the primary beneficiaries, and it was for them that we all came together to reinforce their basic right to access water with dignity and justice.
Nour Al-Atrash, one of the Access for All network youth leading the initiative
Meanwhile, Mohammed Abu Hameida reflected that his participation made him feel he was creating a genuine, tangible impact in people’s lives, especially for those families struggling with water access. He added: “The experience was a masterclass in teamwork and how a small step can open the door to more dignity and justice. After implementing the initiative, I saw with my own eyes how simple cooperation between youth and volunteers transformed the lives of families.”
Mohammed Abu Muaileq, another youth member of Access for All also spoke about the initiative, saying: “Our primary focus was the community message—the importance of including people with disabilities. We were met with tremendous welcome and engagement from the displaced people in the area.”
Initiatives by Access for All
The Access for All network has launched a series of initiatives being implemented over several months across all governorates of the Gaza Strip. The work is concentrated in shelters and displacement camps and targets diverse groups, with a primary focus on people with disabilities.
These initiatives address several areas, including cultural, social, awareness-raising, and psychological aspects. They seek to enhance community awareness of the rights of people with disabilities, affirm societal solidarity, and empower the effective participation of youth. The participating youth received intensive prior training and presented their initiative proposals before a selection committee chose the final projects to be implemented.