Hunger and the risk of starvation are constantly present in Gaza.
But what many describe as the biggest problem is the lack of water.
– It is not enough at all to drink, cook and wash, says mother of five Asmahan.
Asmahan walks around the tented camp in southern Gaza asking if anyone has any water left over that she can have.
– I have been going around begging for several days but no one has enough, she says.
Finally, she gets word that it is possible to get a bucket of water at a distribution in the camp. She hurries there and gets one of the pails filled. She looks relieved. Now the children can at least get fluids. They sit around her and wait for a drink.
– But I also need water for food and for washing. But there is not much water here.
Difficult to get hold of emergency help
In previous reports, TV4 has told about how the civilian population tries to get hold of the boxes that are dropped with parachutes and what it is like for the truck drivers who drive the aid through Gaza. TV4 has commissioned freelancer Samy Zyara, who lives in Gaza, to portray how emergency aid reaches the population.
Now Samy Zyara has met the mother of five Asmahan in a tent camp in southern Gaza. She is one of many who do not have the opportunity to crowd the trucks, but hope for the mercy of others in the camp.
– I have to humiliate myself and beg from others. During a period I needed milk for two of the children, it was very difficult.
“It’s inhumane”
In December, the youngest child died from the smoke after an Israeli airstrike. Ashman tries to find a comfort that doesn’t exist.
– He avoids this. If he had lived, he would have been completely exhausted now without food and water. But at least I had both children to beg for.
Even food has been hard to come by and Ashama has lost 30 kilos since the war began. All the food they come across goes to the children.
– I’m so tired, I can’t even describe it. I’m completely exhausted, she says.
The only hope is for the war to end.
– It must be enough now, it is inhumane.