For 20 years, NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief has stood at the front lines of global crises. Today, we are facing one of our most challenging missions yet. In the crowded shelters of Gaza, a silent health crisis is unfolding, and we are stepping in to provide more than just supplies: we are providing dignity.
The Crisis Under the Surface: Humanitarian Needs in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is dire. Beyond the immediate, high profile needs for food and water, a severe hygiene emergency has emerged among displaced populations. Women and girls, lacking basic sanitary products in Gaza, are forced to use scraps of tent fabric as makeshift pads. This is not just a matter of discomfort; it is a major medical risk in conflict zones, leading to severe infections and further complicating the Gaza health crisis.
At the same time, the massive accumulation of disposable waste in temporary shelters and refugee camps is creating a secondary public health disaster. In an environment with limited waste management infrastructure, traditional disposable solutions are no longer viable for those living in Gaza’s humanitarian zones.
A Safe Solution: The Dignity Kit
NATAN’s response focuses on long term health and responsible crisis management. We are distributing Dignity Kits that feature reusable menstrual pads. These kits provide a clean, reliable, and safe solution that empowers women without adding to the overwhelming waste crisis in Gaza.
Our mission goes beyond the physical kit. NATAN volunteers are on the ground providing essential hygiene training and education, ensuring that these tools are used safely and effectively for lasting impact within the displaced community.
Our Impact and Partnership in the Region
Working through the Gaza Children’s Village (GCV), a vital humanitarian facility for orphaned children, we have already delivered 2,000 kits.
Our connection to the GCV runs deep. NATAN currently manages the facility’s telemedical operations, providing vital remote healthcare to the children living there. By leveraging this existing infrastructure, we can ensure that medical aid for Gaza reaches those who need it most, even in the most restricted and vulnerable areas.
The Road Ahead
We have reached thousands, but the need is still growing. We are now scaling our operations to reach thousands more women and girls currently living without basic sanitary necessities.
Through our current fundraising, your contribution goes further in providing lasting relief. Each Dignity Kit costs just $18 and provides a woman with a clean, safe solution that lasts for an entire year. By supporting this mission, you are doing more than preventing infections and managing waste. You are restoring a sense of agency and dignity to those living through a catastrophe.