In 1948, Sidi left a chicken in the oven

Hani Almadhoun is UNRWA USA’s Director of Philanthropy.

Though he now lives in Virginia with his wife and daughters, he grew up in the Gaza Strip. Hani’s father was an UNRWA teacher in Gaza and his family benefited from UNRWA services there, so he can speak firsthand from personal experience about the work UNRWA does and how the Gaza Strip has changed over the past few decades.

Below he reflects on his late grandfather and their Nakba story.

Hani’s Sidi

I have a personal story to share with you about my Sidi and a chicken.

It was the summer of 1948 in the historic town of Almajdal, and my family was preparing a classic Palestinian meal. But just after my Sidi (grandpa) placed the chicken in the oven, word spread of an approaching invasion.

Seeking safety, Sidi ran for his life. He believed at the time that he, his pregnant wife, and her parents would eventually return and enjoy the chicken he had so thoughtfully prepared. Tragically, my grandparents ran until they reached the Gaza Strip. They took refuge there in Gaza and were never allowed to return home. Just like that, they became overnight refugees: homeless, without food, water, or a place to sleep.

Back then, it was UNRWA that provided my grandpa with a job, and my family with healthcare, education, warm meals, and put a shelter over their heads. He worked for UNRWA as a sanitation worker, a job he said provided for his family.

Hani’s grandparents at a family wedding in the Gaza Strip, 2009

Fast forward a few years on and inside a UNRWA facility, my mom was a little girl being served a hot meal, a warm cup of milk, and a fish oil tablet. Each child had a card that qualified them for a warm meal. She has fond memories of the nurses who wouldn't serve them food until they made sure the children had taken their vitamins and supplements. My dad recalled they would give them fruit, dates, and canned meat. Aside from the food, they received clothes and an education.

To this day -- 73 years later -- UNRWA is a lifeline to more than a million Palestine refugees in Gaza who've lost so much and get by on so little.

You may remember that at the end of last year, we laid Sidi to rest. Despite all he achieved in his 98 years of life, he was denied the opportunity to ever see the old country again, let alone taste that chicken he left behind.

It breaks my heart that 73 years later, Palestine refugees like my late grandfather continue to cope with statelessness. While only a political solution can end this unfortunate reality, you can make a donation to today that allows UNRWA to assist in the survival and wellbeing of refugees.