Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza: A Woman’s Brave Fight Against Corruption
In a region often plagued by conflict and instability, one woman is making a difference. Sarah Awaidah, a 30-year-old from East Jerusalem, has dedicated her life to bringing food and essential supplies to families in northern Gaza, a place many have abandoned in despair.
Working with Mena Aid, a regional coalition connected to the Multifaith Alliance, Sarah managed to set up a crucial supply route, allowing hundreds of trucks filled with aid to reach those in need. This effort has provided food and resources to over 100,000 families, despite attempts by Hamas and local contractors to profit from the ongoing crisis.
“Creating this safe route has turned my life upside down,” Sarah shared during a recent interview from a secure location in Israel. “I never expected it would put me at such risk.”
From September 2024 to February 2025, Sarah’s team successfully delivered 346 trucks of aid. In June 2025, they expanded their distribution when chaos threatened to hinder access to the region. With logistical support from trusted partners, supplies traveled from Ashdod to crossings into Gaza, where Sarah’s team monitored every shipment to ensure it reached the right hands.
“Once the aid arrives, we are there every step of the way,” Sarah explained. “We ensure it goes straight to distribution centers, aiming to give out aid immediately.”
This approach meant they could bring food to areas that had gone without, shedding light on a harsh reality where corruption has turned hunger into a marketable commodity.
“There are many in the private sector, some linked to Hamas, trying to exploit aid to make money,” Sarah noted. “With resources in short supply, some even steal aid to resell. Our effort threatens their profits.”
By providing goods for free, her team not only nourishes families but also disrupts the inflated prices charged for basics like sugar and flour. However, this success also attracted unwanted attention. “With our achievements, we became a target for those profiting from scarcity,” Sarah stated.
Despite the Israeli authorities’ attempts to shut down corrupt practices, the remaining humanitarian routes became increasingly dangerous. Sarah soon began receiving threats from those unhappy with her work, including betrayals from individuals she once trusted.
“The hardest part was finding out someone close to me was involved in a scheme to exploit our aid. But I stood my ground,” she said. “My life is at risk, but I refuse to let greed dictate how aid is distributed.”
Sarah emphasizes that the families she helps keep her going. “We have a fair distribution model, and people wait patiently in line for their aid,” she said. “Their dignity often goes unnoticed in the headlines.”
In just one month, her group managed to deliver 75 trucks, with more on the way, all while facing increasing threats.
“It’s tough to realize betrayal comes from within, but it strengthens my resolve,” Sarah confessed. “If they’re panicking over our work, it means we’re succeeding; we’ve made things harder for them.”
Sarah knows the stakes but remains undeterred. “I will not back down. I’ll keep delivering aid to those in need, no matter the risks. That’s my commitment,” she declared.
Standing firm against corruption has cost Sarah dearly. Yet, for the families in Gaza, she has transformed the impossible into a reality: access to necessary help without strings attached.
