In Gaza, there are children who can’t eat regular food. They have a rare genetic condition called Phenylketonuria (PKU).This condition requires special medical food and a strict no-protein, vegetarian diet to stay healthy and avoid brain damage. But with displacement and blockade, these basic needs are nearly out of reach.
Rebuilding Alliance, the parent organization behind Gaza GivingCartTM, is delivering the 5th round of fruits and vegetables to the 180 PKU patients in Gaza from June 27-July 3, 2025. This is a small miracle.
In this section, we share their stories as told by their families when they came to pick-up their fresh veggie parcels. These are stories of pain, resilience, and the daily struggle to keep their children alive.
Each story – every word – reflects a hardship we hope the world will not ignore.
Read their stories. Listen to what they need — let’s find more ways to help.
Layan, Nesma, Mahmoud & Marwan — Struggling to Survive
Layan, Nesma, Mahmoud, and Marwan — four siblings living with PKU — were displaced from their home in Beit Hanoun and now live in a tent in Al-Mawasi.
Their mother is overwhelmed by the rising cost of basic necessities.She can no longer provide the essentials they need. Vegetables, vital vitamins, medical treatment, and their special formula milk are completely out of reach.
The children’s health has deteriorated severely. They suffer from poor balance, pale skin, dark circles under their eyes, and cognitive difficulties. The family also has no access to clean water, and the children are too weak to carry water containers.
Their exhausted mother says:
“We’re living in famine. My daughter screams all the time. We are barely surviving.”
From Our Nutrition Team
“When families were asked about the health benefits of these packages, most said they noticed real improvement in their patients’ condition. However, when the support stopped for a long time, complications returned.”
— Dr. Mohamed Hamouda, Medical Advisor
Please note: Dr. Hamouda is currently directing this project from his hospital bed. Just after he relocated to Gaza City, he was hit by shrapnel.
Sami, 5 — A Little Boy is Unable to Learn
Sami, a five-year-old boy with PKU, became an orphan during the war. He now lives with his grandmother in a tent after being displaced.
His condition has worsened due to the complete lack of medical food — a core part of his treatment.
His grandmother explains that Sami struggles with concentration and basic understanding.
“He’s in first grade,” she says, “but he still can’t tell the difference between the number one and two. He can’t write. He can’t focus.”
She wishes for consistent monthly support, as the family can no longer afford even basic vegetables due to skyrocketing prices.
“He deserves to learn,” she says with tears in her eyes. “But without protein-free food and special medical milk, how can he?
Tasneem & Toulin — Two Sisters Cling to Survival Under Siege
Tasneem and Toulin are sisters living with PKU. They were displaced along with their father from Beit Lahia and now live in a tent. Their condition has severely worsened due to the total lack of specialized food.
Because of their condition, they must completely avoid protein — but all available food in the markets contains protein, posing a serious danger to their lives.
As the famine continues, both girls have developed lethargy and seizures caused by rising protein levels. Their father says they haven’t had proper treatment in over a year and a half. The last time he was able to get medical food was in Rafah, back in March 2024. The absence of their special formula milk has only made things worse.
The family now faces severe shortages of both food and clean water. Even the community kitchen that once supported displaced families has shut down due to a lack of supplies.
Their father says, “The situation is beyond critical. My daughters are suffering, and I can’t do anything to help them.”
Amani, Ayman, and Ashraf — Siblings Endure Severe Malnutrition
Amani, Ayman, and Ashraf — three siblings living with PKU — are suffering from severe malnutrition due to the complete lack of essential nutrition and medical food.
Their father says that the medical food powder, the most critical part of their treatment, has been unavailable for a long time. Since losing access to it, their health has drastically changed.
They’ve become noticeably more irritable, their skin has turned pale and yellowish, and their overall condition has worsened.
“They were doing better when they had their medical milk,” their father says. “Now, everything has changed. We’ve been displaced, we live in harsh conditions, and nothing is available anymore.”
Asmaa — A Young Girl Grows Weaker by the Day
Asmaa, a young girl living with PKU, has grown significantly weaker due to the severe lack of specialized medical food.
Her grandmother explains that there is no special protein-free flour or medical food available to support Asmaa’s treatment. As a result, she suffers from hyperactivity, seizures, and abnormal behavior. Even her hair has started to change color — a visible sign of the toll and the worsening conditions this disease has inflicted on her small body.
From Aya, Our Photographer on the Ground
Several families told us that receiving fresh vegetables gave them a sense of relief, even if just for a few days. For some, it was the first time in weeks that they could prepare a proper meal for their children. One parent said, “At least now I can give them something they are allowed to eat without fear.” Families also told us they really hope this support can continue regularly.
— Aya Lubbad, Photographer
Firas & Louay — Two Brothers Anguish Without Food
Firas and Louay are two brothers living with PKU. Their symptoms have worsened due to the ongoing food shortages.
Their father explains that both boys have dark circles under their eyes, display unusual behavior, and often hit themselves — signs of the deep impact of their condition and lack of proper nutrition.
After their home was destroyed, the family was displaced and now lives in a tent on the street, with no stability, no access to treatment, and no relief in sight.
Joud — A Little Boy Deprived of Medical Necessities
Joud is a young boy diagnosed with PKU. For over a year, he has been living without access to the essential medical food that his condition requires.
His father explains that Joud needs special medical food powder, medical flour, and a strict diet based on fruits and vegetables — all of which have become completely unavailable due to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Without these critical nutritional items, Joud’s condition has worsened. His father reports increasing symptoms such as irritability and signs of delayed development.
He says, “It’s not just hunger. It’s the lack of the exact nutrition he needs to stay alive and think clearly. And we haven’t had that for over a year.”
Hassan, 24 — A Young Man’s Health Declines
Hassan, 24 years old, is a PKU patient whose condition has worsened under the ongoing siege and the lack of proper nutritional support.
His brother explains that Hassan has become noticeably more irritable and emotionally unstable. His cognitive abilities have declined, and he’s no longer as focused or calm as he used to be.
His brother says:
“The lack of proper nutrition is affecting not only his body but also his mind”.
