NAMPA, Idaho — Families in Gaza continue to be displaced at a rapid rate.
Lifting Hands International Outreach Director Jessica Arch told KTVB “over 60% of the homes have been destroyed and over 90% of the population has been displaced.”
This crisis has left many Palestinians without knowing when their next meal will be.
"What we're seeing in Gaza is one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time,” Arch said.
Nonprofits including Nampa’s Because International teamed up to send humanitarian aid to families in Gaza displaced by the Israel-Hamas war.
"When you're having to flee your home, I'm not going to begin to understand what that's like when you don't even have time to pack up all of your belongings," said Kayla Hetherington, the stakeholder operations manager of Because International.
Because International partnered with Utah-based nonprofit Lifting Hands International to ship basic needs.
"We're sourcing items in the Middle East and getting them over the border into Gaza," Arch said. "Then we're also sending aid that we collect here in the intermountain west and sending it overseas."
Both nonprofit organizations focus on helping communities impacted by poverty. A part of that shipment going to Gaza includes shoes.
"A shoe called The Shoe That Grows and expands five sizes,” Hetherington said.
Hetherington said they sent 1,700 pairs.
"It's a small thing. It's not going to change the world, but we hope it'll make a small impact on the kids who receive them,” Hetherington said.
This war has gotten the world’s attention – including here in Idaho – with protests in support of Palestine and others in support of Israel. Regardless of the division, Hetherington said the community has been supportive.
"I think no matter what is going on around the world, we can have the commonality of we're all humans," Hetherington said. "No matter what's happening, we want to take care of each other – doesn't matter what side you're on."
Arch said sending aid where it is most needed is always their goal.
"We're helping both in Gaza and in Israel, with humanitarian needs that we see there," Arch said. "It's a huge humanitarian crisis that we want to step up and be a part with to help."
The shipment is on route now, making its way to families in need.
"I hope they know that someone, somewhere is thinking about them and wants them to have a little bit of peace with this product or whatever it is that they receive,” Hetherington said.
Although the shipment has not it made it to Gaza yet, Because International is already planning to send another round of shoes soon and they are accepting donations to make it happen.
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