Basma Al-Sha’er: Relief Aid mitigates displacement burden 

Basma Mohammed Marzouq Al-Sha’er is a Palestinian from Rafah, southern Gaza, who has endured repeated and challenging displacement ordeals. She ended up in a tent provided by the Social Developmental Forum (SDF) and ShelterBox in a large displacement camp in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis.

Basma finished her bachelor’s degree years ago. She has a physical disability, while her husband has a hearing impairment. This has placed them in a uniquely challenging situation during the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on Gaza since October 2023.

“We were forcibly displaced several times,” Basma says: “Initially, to Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood, then to Al-Alam area in Rafah, then to Al-Qarara, and finally to Al-Mawasi.” She describes her daily, accumulating hardship saying: “We’ve endured terrible conditions—only Allah knows. We can’t even walk to evacuate properly. Such an intense struggle.”

Basma recounts the enormous challenge of securing supplies and personal needs through her family’s struggle for safety; They had to carry all their belongings at once each time they were forced to flee. Sometimes, they couldn’t do so. Thus, they had to escape without their supplies and facilities, adding even greater burdens.

We couldn’t carry our personal belongings. Meeting our needs has become overwhelming. Everyone tries to survive on their own. I feel helpless toward my children.

Basma Al-Sha’er

Basma adds: “Initially, we slept on the street, and as a person with a disability, it was tough; disregarding my human rights of protection and accessibility. Special needs of PWDs are not considered during such emergencies.”

Basma expressed her gratitude and happiness in receiving shelter aid from SDF: “Receiving the tent, supplies, and mattresses helped us a lot and mitigated our burden.”

To support Basma and her family, SDF, in partnership with ShelterBox provided water containers, a full tent equipped with all household needs, mattresses, blankets, and other essentials. This collaborative project contributes to the shelter and nonfood needs of displaced citizens in Gaza.

Basma and her displaced family which includes people with disability are still enduring hardships and are among those most severely affected by the conflict, creating even more pressing challenges for them.

Amid this catastrophic situation, Basma’s only hope is to secure a safe place for her children and family: “We just want to be able to sustain ourselves and feed our children,” she says.