In Cairo during the week of November 12, 2023, CRS coordinated the procurement and shipment of emergency supplies for Gazan families displaced and enduring unbearable deprivation of safety and essential needs. CRS teams in Egypt shipped a first batch of supplies to provide blankets, mats and mattresses to families in Gaza. This shipment has supported an initial 600 families, with more shipments planned in the coming weeks. In each family kit is six blankets, one mat and four mattresses. This adds to the incredible work by CRS and partner teams in Gaza to provide cash assistance to 100,000 people in recent weeks for food and supplies. We hope this first shipment provides some comfort to families, many of whom fled their homes with nothing, who are sleeping on floors and who are bracing for winter. Our efforts will continue to expand to meet urgent needs for food, hygiene and shelter. But the people of Gaza need so much more. A steady supply of fuel and more crossing points for lifesaving aid are essential for CRS and other humanitarian organizations to quickly increase the number of people we can each. Most importantly, the violence must end.

This distribution was made possible thanks to CRS’ partnership with the Egyptian government--notably, the Interministerial Committee for Foreign Aid. CRS has been working in Egypt since 1956, when it first partnered with the government to support Egyptians displaced by the Suez war.

Photo by Sayed Hassan for Catholic Relief Services