Immediate Response to Urgent Needs

Our direct aid programs are designed to respond swiftly to the immediate needs of Palestinian families and communities. Whether it’s providing food, medical supplies, or other essential items, HLT ensures that aid reaches those who are most vulnerable. Our direct aid efforts focus on several key areas:

• Food Security: Distributing food parcels and coupons to families facing food insecurity. These parcels include staple items and nutritional essentials to ensure that families do not go hungry.
• Medical Aid: Providing medical supplies and support to clinics and hospitals, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare. This includes essential medications, medical equipment, and hygiene products.
• Shelter and Housing: Assisting families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged. This includes providing temporary shelter, materials for rebuilding, and financial support to help families restore their living conditions.
• Educational Support: Ensuring that children can continue their education despite the challenges. This includes supplying school materials, uniforms, and support for remote learning initiatives.
  

Responding to the Gaza Crisis

The recent escalation of violence in Gaza has exacerbated the hardships faced by Palestinian families. The war has led to widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement, leaving many without basic necessities. In response, HLT has intensified its direct aid efforts to support those affected by the conflict:

• Emergency Relief: Distributing emergency food parcels, water, and medical supplies to families in Gaza. Our teams work tirelessly to ensure that aid reaches those in need, despite the challenging conditions.
• Supporting Trauma Recovery: Providing psychosocial support to individuals and families affected by the violence. Our programs offer counseling and emotional support to help people cope with the trauma and rebuild their lives.
• Rebuilding Efforts: Assisting families in rebuilding their homes and communities. This includes providing building materials, financial support, and logistical assistance to help families restore their living environments.

Addressing Economic Hardships in Bethlehem

The economic situation in Bethlehem has been severely impacted by the ongoing occupation and recent conflicts. The tourism sector, a major source of income for many families, has suffered greatly due to restrictions and the decline in visitors. Additionally, many workers face difficulties due to the lack of permits and employment opportunities. HLT’s direct aid programs aim to mitigate these economic hardships:

• Food Coupon Program: Providing food coupons to families who have lost their income due to the downturn in tourism and labor restrictions. These coupons allow families to purchase essential items and maintain their dignity.
• Support for Local Businesses: Partnering with local businesses and cooperatives to supply the aid materials, thereby supporting the local economy and ensuring sustainability.

Maintaining Dignity and Hope

At HLT, we believe that direct aid is not just about providing material support; it’s about maintaining the dignity and hope of those we serve. Our programs are designed to empower individuals and communities, giving them the tools and support they need to overcome challenges and build a better future. By addressing immediate needs while also fostering long-term resilience, we aim to create a foundation for sustainable development and peace.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite you to support our direct aid initiatives and help us provide immediate assistance to Palestinian families in need. Your contributions can make a significant impact, bringing relief and hope to those facing the harshest conditions.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most, providing immediate support and building a foundation for a brighter future.

The situation in Area C is marked by severe environmental damage caused by the Israeli occupation, including untreated wastewater contaminating Palestinian farms, water and air pollution, depletion of natural resources, and restricted access for Palestinians to their own land. These conditions not only harm the environment but also sever the deep connection between communities and their land.

Our project, “EcoAction for Justice,” sought to create a core group of activists dedicated to implementing environmentally sustainable projects that rectify injustices caused by the occupation. These initiatives were designed to address ecological harm while providing communities with basic needs such as water, electricity, and food. The politicization of these essential resources has been a source of anguish and frustration for Palestinians, as access to land and water is often manipulated for political purposes rather than for human well-being.

One of the project’s primary goals was to foster deep community development. This was achieved by facilitating processes in which communities could identify their needs, map their problems, and leverage their strengths to design sustainable solutions. Through Problem-Based Learning, participants created and implemented projects tailored to the capacities and priorities of their communities.

To achieve this, nine environmentally sustainable projects were successfully implemented, directly benefitting 500 Palestinians across two marginalized communities. These projects include:

1. Building a community center in Al-Awsaj village / Jordan Valley
2. Establishing a water delivery system in Jordan Valley
3. Renovating streets in the town of Jericho / Jordan Valley
4. Introducing composting bins in Jordan Valley
5. Developing a water system for agricultural use in South Hebron Hills
6. Restoring agricultural land in South Hebron Hills
7. Installing solar power systems in South Hebron Hills
8. Launching a water campaign project in South Hebron Hills

By addressing environmental injustices and providing sustainable solutions, “EcoAction for Justice” has empowered marginalized Palestinian communities to reclaim their rights and protect their connection to the land. This initiative demonstrates the power of collective action and innovative problem-solving in transforming the logic and effects of occupation into pathways for hope and resilience.

A Historic Coalition
The Sumud Project is rooted in a powerful collaboration among local and international groups. Together, these organizations have created a diverse and inclusive community whose shared values compel them to stand against discrimination, inequality, and occupation through nonviolent resistance.

Our Mission and Intention
The Sumud Project seeks to establish a safe, unarmed, and nonviolent space where those who believe in a just and peaceful future can join forces to foster change. Invited by the families of local communities, Sumud participants work together to reclaim ancestral lands, rebuild homes, rehabilitate historic wells, and enhance the livelihoods of villagers in the South Hebron Hills.

Through workshops, direct actions, and programming centered on nonviolent civil disobedience as a transformative political practice, Sumud empowers individuals to resist oppression while building a foundation for a future based on justice, equality, and freedom.

Key Principles

• Nonviolent Resistance: Sumud is committed to nonviolence as the cornerstone of its resistance, promoting peaceful actions to challenge systemic displacement and occupation.
• Community Empowerment: The project engages local community members, camp residents, and visitors in every step of its work, prioritizing local leadership and the needs of Palestinian families.
• International Solidarity: By bringing together activists from around the world, Sumud amplifies the voices of Palestinians and demonstrates a unified stand for justice.
• Protecting Vulnerable Communities: Recognizing the disproportionate risks faced by Palestinians, the project’s actions and decision-making processes prioritize the safety and well-being of local residents.

Transforming the Future
Sumud Project serves as both a symbol and a practice of steadfastness. Located in the South Hebron Hills, it represents a shared vision for a just peace, where the civil and human rights of all people are unequivocally recognized. By reclaiming lands, rebuilding homes, and restoring vital infrastructure, the Sumud Project continues to challenge systemic injustice and build hope for generations to come.

While Israeli authorities often cite security concerns or the lack of building permits as reasons for demolitions, the true motivation is more often the further expansion of settlements and asserting control. The demolition of homes is part of a broader strategy to displace the indigenous Palestinian population, making room for settlements, bypass roads, and the Separation Wall.

The main goals of this project are as follows:

• To respond to Israeli laws and policies in creative, non-violent ways
• To restore dignity and hope to families who have experienced the demolition of their homes
• To transform despair into resilience
• To demonstrate to families that they are not alone—international volunteers (a minimum of 45) are invited to join in the rebuilding process, forming meaningful relationships with the local families
• To empower the local community by working directly with local contractors, workers, and suppliers of building materials

HLT stands firmly against the unjust policies imposed by the Israeli system. Our commitment to non-violence and the restoration of hope to people is a responsibility we hold deeply.

Over 150 volunteers from Amos Trust have traveled to the West Bank, raising funds and contributing their labor to rebuild homes. Working alongside local builders, these volunteers are warmly welcomed by the community. The work is not undertaken lightly; volunteers hear firsthand the stories of affected families and share these experiences upon returning home, inspiring others to support and advocate for Palestinian rights.

Our commitment to rebuilding Palestinian homes remains unwavering despite numerous challenges. The impact of this work is deeply felt, as expressed by Lolo: “When I saw the new house, I thought, ‘That’s my home, just like a dream. Beautiful.’”