A child in Gaza received a basic health screening
Advocating for a Ceasefire and Bringing Support to Save Lives
In the besieged Gaza Strip, where both poverty and unemployment rates had reached nearly 50%, a large-scale military invasion started in the wake of Hamas’s raid on October 7, 2023. Even though a ceasefire was once reached, fierce land, sea, and air attacks as well as ground operations have resumed. With the complete block of relief supplies entering the Strip since March 2, 2025, the whole population of Gaza is in danger of starvation. The number of deaths has reached 58,000, as the worst humanitarian situation persists (as of July 13, 2025). On the other hand, Palestinian women’s rights to go out freely, work, and attend school are severely restricted in the patriarchal Arab society. In addition, the occupation continues to jeopardize the human rights and daily life of all Palestinians.
Activities and Achievements in 2024 (Gaza Strip)
Emergency assistance through local partner organizations
Through a local NGO that operates clinics and mobile clinics in the Gaza Strip, we provided 4,055 cans of powdered formula for infants in June. From August to September, we provided 1,400 cans of infant formula as well as medications to be prescribed to patients who were injured, had an infection, or had a chronic disease. On top of that, under the critical situation of food shortage and price increase, we provided cash assistance to 109 families headed by a woman with no income and one or more children under the age of two through another local NGO with whom we had partnered in providing mother and child health services. In addition, with said organization, we conducted nutrition screenings for children, distributed food supplements according to the babies’ ages, and held educational sessions about the nutrition of children under two years old and of pregnant and lactating women in a shelter in central Gaza.
Checking the nutrition status of a child
Policy recommendation for an immediate ceasefire
We advocated for a ceasefire to the Japanese government and the Bipartisan Humanitarian Diplomacy Parliamentary League in collaboration with researchers and other Japanese NGOs operating in Palestine. Furthermore, we released the statement: “We demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and peace in Palestine” and held a press conference on March 28 advocating to the media and citizens. 309 organizations and 4,329 individuals endorsed the statement. In parallel, we made informational materials and held events for the general public to deepen their understanding and interest in the Palestinian issue and the situation in Gaza.
“Ceasefire Now” Candle Vigil Action
Activities in 2024 (East Jerusalem)
Vocational training for women
Silwan and Al Thouri are neighborhoods into which many refugees poured when Israel declared its statehood in 1948. They have a high poverty rate compared to other East Jerusalem neighborhoods, and authorities frequently demolish homes and seize land. In addition to the effects of the occupation, traditional customs in Palestinian society limit women’s options. With the goal of supporting women’s socio-economic independence, we provided vocational and business skills training. We also hosted a bazaar and networking events allowing participants to apply their learnings and exchange information, conducted sessions where they were able to learn from those who had launched their businesses, and provided life skill training for adolescent girls.
Hair cutting training
Achievements in 2024 (East Jerusalem)
To make our activities more effective and sustainable
Along with the vocational training, we conducted life skills training to help build self-esteem and the motivation to start new things. Using group and individual work formats tailored to the topics, we implemented training sessions focusing on skills such as communication, problem-solving, and stress management. In addition, we provided opportunities for trainees to hear about the experiences of women who are already active, allowing them to learn and to envision specific steps for their own futures. There are social media groups for each vocational training course where participants can continue to learn and encourage one another by easily sharing information and seeking advice even after the training has ended.
Life skills training
Voices and Messages
Don’t forget about our children
Assalah, A single mother raising five children
Ms. Assalah is a single mother in her thirties raising five children. She was forced to evacuate due to intensifying military attacks around her house, finally reaching Deir al-Balah. She now lives in a tent with her children, having to depend on meals donated by people around her and support from her relatives. One day, she heard from people in the area that “there is an organization that distributes milk for infants” thus and came to know about the local NGO that JVC collaborates with. After a nutrition screening of the children by a dietitian, she received two cans of powdered formula for infants. When she left the site, Ms. Assalah pleaded in tears, “Please don’t forget about our children.”
Receiving infant formula
Voices and Messages
Cash assistance greatly supported our lives
Alaa AHMED
Ms. Alaa Ahmed has evacuated numerous times after her house was destroyed. She takes shelter now in a school classroom with a total of ten families. Her daily life is challenging, with difficulties in collecting essential items such as food, cooking fuel, drinking water, clothing, blankets, and kitchen utensils. In this situation, she received cash assistance from JVC. As soon as she received it, she bought vegetables, canned food, beans, water, seasonings, and cleaning supplies at the market. However, due to the price hikes, she couldn’t buy meat, fruit, clothes, blankets, or gas canister refills. Still, she says, “This assistance greatly supported our lives. I saw my kids’ smiles for the first time after a long time, and I have no words that can fully express my gratitude.”
Buying daily necessities with cash assistance
