Khaled Hamdan: A young volunteer of water distribution initiative in Northern Gaza

Since the onset of the war, northern Gaza has endured uniquely challenging harsh conditions, surpassing the struggles faced by other governorates. The severe water shortage has become a fundamental struggle for those who couldn’t or didn’t forcibly leave to the South.

Khaled Hamdan, a member of the Social Developmental Forum’s Youth Network, used to be a lawyer, but the war forced him to abandon his profession. Despite the hardship, Khaled decided to dedicate his time to supporting the community through relief initiatives targeting people in need.

Effective Coordination and Emergency Response

Khaled played a significant role in the “Water Supply“ initiative, launched by the Social Developmental Forum in northern Gaza. The initiative aimed to mitigate the impact of lack of clean water amid the siege and famine in the north. Despite the destruction of trucks and desalination stations, many Gazans couldn’t leave, making water provision a critical necessity.

“I contacted SDF’s team, requesting a water truck for my neighborhood in Sheikh Radwan. Their response was immediate and effective. They facilitated bringing a water truck that met the area’s urgent need. The process went smoothly, thanks to the crucial teamwork and coordination. We carried water jugs and bottles, filled them with, and returned them to the residents.” Says Khaled, reflecting on collaboration with the SDF’s youth network volunteers.

The initiative aimed to bolster the resilience of the community and restore a sense of hope to the residents. Khaled led a team of four volunteers, supported by the residents who helped organize the distribution process. This collaborative effort ensured that the water was effectively supplied to the people in need.

Voluntarily led initiatives 

Khaled has been an active volunteer in numerous initiatives during the war. His journey in community work began in 2014, contributing to psychosocial support programs, recreational activities for children, and training workshops across various topics. He believes that community initiatives in Gaza City and the northern region are limited compared to the south, which he attributes to the scarcity of resources and the harsh conditions imposed by the blockade on the north.

Khaled highlighted the dire conditions created by the recent military assault on Jabalia and northern Gaza, which have exacerbated the water crisis due to the destruction of water trucks, overcrowded areas, and limited access to water distribution services. For Khaled and his fellow young volunteers, the focus is on children, men, and elderly women who came to the large water truck parked in their area. They observed gratitude and hope in the eyes of the residents, who feel abandoned by the world but find some solace in such efforts.

The prayers and good wishes of the people asking for Allah to bless the youth and increase their good deeds are the greatest reward for Khaled and his team after long, exhausting days under the scorching sun. These blessings, combined with the impactful initiative, fuel their determination to continue serving the community despite the war’s emergency conditions.