Closed border crossings mean that for the people of Gaza, there is limited availability of vital supplies such as food, medicine, fuel and spare parts for machinery. Border restrictions on imports and exports have dramatically impacted the local economy and many families have little opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty.
According to the United Nations, 60 percent of households in Gaza do not have enough food to meet their needs all year round and more than 75 percent live below the poverty line.
World Vision is working with fishermen like Nabil and his family to help them overcome the challenges they face and improve their ability to produce food and earn income.
Nabil has seven children and he also cares for his elderly parents. He has been a fisherman all his life, but the blockade meant that he couldn’t access the supplies he needed to maintain his boat and nets in good working order. So, World Vision stepped in, supplying him with two new nets and sourcing parts for his boat.
“Due to the siege we have been unable to buy the nylon for our nets and other fishing equipment,” Nabil explained. “If we get holes in our boats we can’t afford to mend them. Everything is so expensive. That’s why we want to thank World Vision, which has helped us mend our boats and make them functional again.”
Nabil’s twin sons Mohammed and Raji help Nabil with the fishing. “My daily routine involves my dad waking me up at three in the morning,” says Mohammed. “I love helping my dad. The best thing is separating the fish from the nets. Sometimes I tear the nets by accident but my dad taught me how to mend them.”
Nabil explained that because of poverty, it is common to see children helping their families to bring in food and income.
“Most of the children here have to work helping their fathers, so they have no dreams. They have to leave school and that destroys their dreams.”
His eldest son Hamdi did well at school but he was unable to complete his education because Nabil could not afford to pay the fees. Now he’s a fisherman, like his father.