Ghayda': Model of Youth Role on the Frontlines in Driving Hope and Humanitarian Action in War-Torn Gaza.

Gaza – Occupied Palestinian Territory- Ghayda' is a young Palestinian woman living in the Gaza Strip who decided to serve her community facing war and blockade through initiatives and voluntary work during times of crisis since the beginning of war against Gaza in October 2023. She carried her despite the difficult living and security conditions Gazans have faced. The ongoing Israeli war does not impede Ghayda' from supporting displaced people, women, and families affected by war.

Like many other young women in Gaza, Ghayda' plays an important role in emergency response. They often act as leaders, caregivers, and advocates within their communities. Despite facing major challenges, they mobilize resources, support displaced families, and provide essential health, psychological, social, and educational services in times of crisis. Their unique experiences and perspectives ensure that humanitarian responses are inclusive and meet the specific needs of women and girls. By empowering young women to take active roles in planning and emergency response, Gaza can build more resilient, fair, and effective humanitarian systems that leave no one behind.

Ghayda' joined youth committees established by the Wefaq Association for Women and Child Care in partnership with ActionAid Palestine. These committees include women's protection groups and youth-led emergency response teams. Their goal is to empower young Palestinian women and men to be actively involved in community and humanitarian response efforts during the unprecedented conditions caused by the repeated wars on Gaza.

Ghayda' believes in the importance of youth participation in serving their communities, especially during wartime and emergencies. She says:
"Our community in Gaza needs young people. That’s why our voluntary and humanitarian work contributes to developing our society."

Ghayda' actively contributed to an initiative that had a real impact on the ground, by helping prepare bread using clay ovens and supporting community kitchens (Takkaya). These ovens and kitchens were used in Gaza after the war due to severe fuel shortages caused by border closures and restrictions on aid and supplies. This led to the shutdown of many bakeries. The current amount and speed of food aid deliveries are far from enough to meet the needs of Gaza’s population, who are facing high levels of food insecurity.

Ghayda' was part of a team that prepared bread, cooked hot meals, and distributed them daily to hundreds of needy families during some of the most difficult times her community has experienced. She adds:
“We had community kitchens and clay ovens as part of several initiatives. We prepared hot meals and distributed them to displaced people around us”.

She worked tirelessly from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, despite all the challenges like lack of flour, wood, rain, wind, and storms. She says: “We did everything we could provide bread, even when there was no flour or wood. Despite the rain and harsh weather, we continued working.”

Besides her fieldwork, this role also impacted Ghayda' personally. She gained new skills and felt empowered. She says:” Volunteering helped me fill my time, overcome feelings of depression and emptiness, and gave me peace of mind through helping women and members of my community.”

Ghayda' hopes this work can be developed further if cooking gas and fuel become available, as continuing to use clay ovens poses risks to women’s health. She explains: "We demand access to cooking gas so we can use gas ovens instead of fire, which causes long-term health problems and exhaustion for women. Using gas ovens will help us work more efficiently and safely.”

Her hopes reflect the wishes of many people in Gaza which are ending the war and returning to a normal life where people live safely and with dignity. Ghayda' says: “We hope our lives improve and that our basic needs are met. To return to normal, we need stable homes, gas, and to reopen the bakeries”.

Ghayda’s involvement in the committees is not just a temporary contribution. It’s part of a bigger vision for building a stronger community that can better respond to crises. Through her training and experience, she now has the tools to continue working in humanitarian response and even take part in future rebuilding efforts.

Ghayda's story reflects the spirit of a young generation in Gaza that actively contributes to strengthening their community during times of crisis. Her experience shows the importance of engaging young people in humanitarian efforts during the war on Gaza, to provide immediate relief and support long-term resilience. Youth bring energy, creativity, and local knowledge that can help deliver aid more effectively and reach vulnerable groups. Involving them in planning and response builds leadership skills, strengthens solidarity, and empowers them to create solutions for their communities. Moreover, giving youth meaningful roles in humanitarian work fosters social cohesion, hope in the face of destruction and displacement, and helps prepare the next generation in Gaza to rebuild and defend their rights.

About ActionAid International

ActionAid International is a global federation working with over 41 million people across more than 72 of the world’s poorest countries. We strive for a just and sustainable world where every individual enjoys the right to a dignified life and freedom, a world free from poverty and oppression. We work towards social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication.

ActionAid Palestine began operations in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, believing in their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. ActionAid Palestine implements several programs engaging Palestinian communities, youth groups, and women, aiming to empower women and youth and enhance their active civic and political participation to understand their rights and engage collectively in addressing rights violations resulting from prolonged occupation. It also seeks to improve their leadership capacities and citizenship practice by holding authorities and other responsible parties accountable.

For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari
Communications and Advocacy Officer, ActionAid Palestine
Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org