October 7, 2024
News
Safa Younes is a Palestinian humanitarian worker based in Jaffa, Tel Aviv. After the war in Gaza broke out, Safa made the pivotal decision to shift her career and dedicate herself to helping those impacted by the conflict. She now works for Caritas Czech Republic, coordinating aid efforts for Gaza in collaboration with Caritas Jerusalem. Her unique perspective offers insights into the challenges of providing humanitarian assistance across borders during times of conflict.
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Can you tell us about your background and how you came to work in the humanitarian sector?
I live in Jaffa, which is part of Tel Aviv, though I am from palestenian origin with Israeli residence. My background is in social work—I studied it for my bachelor's and master's degrees. Later, I pursued an MBA and, more recently, a master’s degree in Emergency and disaster management, because I wanted to shift into humanitarian work. I have spent years working in social services, particularly in Jaffa’s Arab community. I also founded an organisation that focuses on the economic empowerment of Arab women in Jaffa. Over time, I became more involved with NGOs and the public sector, which eventually led me to humanitarian work.
How did you end up working with Caritas Czech Republic, and what does your role involve?
When the war broke out last October, I felt a strong desire to contribute in a meaningful way. That is what pushed me to pursue a master’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. In August, I started searching for a job in humanitarian work and came across the opportunity with Caritas Czech Republic. Since I am unable to physically enter Gaza, I work remotely to help monitor an ongoing joint project with Caritas Jerusalem. I focus on assessing the current project, scaling it up, and identifying new needs and opportunities for the future. We want to ensure that our healthcare and psychological support services in Gaza continue to reach as many people as possible.
What kind of help is Caritas Czech Republic providing to the people in Gaza?
Our joint project with Caritas Jerusalem focuses on providing primary healthcare and psychological support. In a medical centre in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, we are delivering services to over 5,000 people, many of whom suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and other general illnesses—not necessarily injuries from the ongoing war, but ailments that existed before and require ongoing care. In addition, we offer psychological support, particularly for children and mothers, through group therapy sessions. There is a specialised group model for children in war zones, and if anyone needs more individualised help, our psychologist offers one-on-one sessions.
Our activities have been critical in offering consistent support, but we are always looking for ways to expand and help even more people in Gaza.
You have mentioned that you are working remotely from Tel Aviv to support the people in Gaza. What challenges do you face in delivering assistance to those affected by the conflict, especially since you cannot physically enter Gaza?
One of the biggest challenges is that I cannot physically be there. As a Palestinian citizen of Israel, I am not allowed to enter into Gaza, so I rely on phone calls, online meetings, and reports from the teams of Caritas Jerusalem on the ground. But communication can be difficult—there are frequent power cuts and poor internet connections in Gaza, so even staying in touch is a challenge.
The shortage of supplies is another major issue. Medical facilities are struggling because not everything they need can enter Gaza. Lack of food, water, and sanitation are also critical issues. On top of that, many of the staff we work with are going through their own struggles. Some have lost their homes or family members, yet they continue to care for others. Their dedication is both inspiring and heartbreaking.
Can you describe the current situation in Gaza? What do people there need the most right now?
The situation is devastating. More than 41,000 people were killed, and more than 96,000 are injured. The cost of food has skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for most families, and malnutrition is becoming a serious problem, especially among children. Clean water is becoming scarcer, and there are serious health risks as a result. On top of that, homes and hospitals have been destroyed, leaving many without shelter or access to proper medical care. The people of Gaza need everything right now—food, water, medical aid, and a safe place to stay. Now with the approach of winter it is expected that a lot of floods will damage the camps for displaced people and worsen the health hazards.
The war has forced many people to move constantly, and this must have affected the support you provide. How has Caritas adapted to these challenges?
The war has made it incredibly difficult to provide consistent psychological support, as many people are constantly moving due to the security situation. Often, we begin psychological sessions, but people have to leave before we can finish the process. There is no stability right now in Gaza, and this affects both the people we are supporting and our team.
Our staff also face challenges. Some of their homes have been bombed, forcing them to relocate. Despite all this, we have adapted our approach to match the situation. For example, we have shortened our psychological sessions so we can make an impact in a shorter amount of time, knowing that people might not be able to complete longer processes. It is a necessary adjustment to provide help in the midst of these constantly changing circumstances. We are doing everything we can to continue supporting people, even in these difficult times.
During your work supporting the people in Gaza, you must have heard many impactful stories. Is there any story you would like to share?
There are countless heartbreaking stories coming from Gaza. Some staff members from Caritas Jerusalem have been injured or lost family members in the conflict, and tragically, some of our colleagues have even been killed. I also spoke with a colleague from Caritas Jerusalem who is living in a camp for displaced people and whose son was injured and needs surgeries, but despite his personal hardships, he continues to dedicate himself to helping others. He does not just come from outside to help, he himself is affected by the war in Gaza as so many others. I saw a lot of people who want to help others, and that sometimes unfortunately leads to burnout. That is also why one of the components of our project is focusing on "helping the helpers“. Helping the humanitarian workers and giving them the support they need because we do not want them to burnout in the process.
Living in Tel Aviv, how has the war in Gaza and the recent escalation in Lebanon impacted your daily life?
First, I am very worried as my family in is also in Gaza. I constantly think about what is happening there. I see people dying and getting injured, and children experiencing significant psychological problems. We know the psychological effects will only worsen over time. It was particularly hard in the first months when I was not working with Caritas Czech Republic because I felt so helpless, like I could not do anything to help.
On the other hand, I hear about security incidents happening here as well. Just a few days ago in Jaffa, someone was shooting at people. There have been injuries and deaths, along with shelling coming from Lebanon and Iran. So, while living here is not the same as being in Gaza, it still does not feel like normal life. I feel discomfort about the situation here and immense sorrow for what is happening in Gaza and Lebanon.
How do you think the needs in Gaza will change once the war ends?
Even after the war, the needs will be immense. People will need help rebuilding their lives—starting with their homes. Psychological support will be more important than ever because the trauma won’t end when the fighting does. Education will be another major focus, especially for children who have been out of school for so long. And healthcare will remain a priority since many hospitals and clinics have been damaged or destroyed.
In cooperation with Caritas Jerusalem, Caritas Czech Republic is providing medical care for 5,000 local residents. The provision of medical aid in Gaza is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
Caritas Czech Republic has long called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the provision of adequate humanitarian aid.
Thank you for helping with us.
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