To give you a clearer picture of the struggles we face, when going to the market this is the shopping list with the price.
What $260 Buys Maryam’s Family in Gaza
Here is the full shopping list we managed to get:
1. A handful of baby tomatoes
2. 7 small cucumbers
3. 4 mini aubergines
4. 1 pack of Aptamil baby milk powder
5. 40-pack of nappies
6. 1 bag of lentils
7. 1 small bag of rice
8. A few small cans of tuna
9. 1 mini jar of tahini (sesame paste)
Total cost in Gaza: $260
What this would cost elsewhere:
UK/Spain: ~ $50
France: ~ $70
US: ~ $80–90
For many of us, that might look like an ordinary grocery bill, but for them it represents a heavy burden. Every item purchased is not just nourishment, it is a lifeline.
The reason it is so expensive is because in Gaza, prices have skyrocketed. Supplies are scarce, and when food does arrive, it is sold at highly inflated prices due to the blockade, destroyed trade routes, and the risks of transport. What might cost $50–$70 elsewhere can easily cost $200–$300 in Gaza. Families have no choice but to pay many times the normal price just to secure basics like rice, flour, vegetables, or baby formula.
So when we say $260 for food, it is not extravagance, it is the harsh reality of survival under siege conditions, where even the simplest meal comes at an unbearable cost.
Every dollar you contribute truly matters. It goes directly into keeping Maryam and the family alive, nourished, and holding onto hope in impossible circumstances.
Thank you to everyone showing support. Please spread this page and share - your every penny counts.
These items are not luxuries — they are lifelines for Maryam and her family. If you would like to support them directly, donations can be made safely through the link below. Ingrid, our Funds Distribution Lead, carefully oversees and manages this process to ensure every contribution goes straight to the family’s essential needs with full accountability.
Donate to Maryam Abdulaziz Dawas
Your generosity makes the difference between hunger and hope.