She fled burning villages and armed soldiers in Myanmar. But in a refugee camp hundreds of miles away, Mumtaz would face a second heartbreak, one that left her more isolated than ever. 

As Gazans struggle to obtain the bare necessities of life, food, drink, clothing, and a place to sleep, their survival is often determined by their personal circumstances. Life is far easier for the able-bodied. 

“I endured a whole year of suffering,” recalls Gaza resident Riham, a 32-year-old teacher, who lost her leg following a devastating airstrike. “I couldn’t go anywhere. I couldn’t walk. Even going to the bathroom was a struggle. I would stumble and fall,” she remembers. 

In the early days of the war, Ahmad was helping others. He supported the emergency response for Caritas in Gaza. He helped deliver aid, from food parcels to essential medicines, and found emergency shelter for those in need. 

At night, Rumana often lies awake, wondering if she will ever leave.