RBB aid distribution [image copyright RBB]

by E. Mark Windle

Ramadan is as much about community and compassion as it is for prayer. As this important religious period draws to a close this month, Refugee Biriyani & Bananas reflects on how escalating global conflict is affecting displaced people, and what we are doing to support people—from all ethnic and religious backgrounds—through our aid distributions and initiatives in Cairo, Gaza and the Greek island of Chios.

The US / Israeli attack on Iran

Since late February the world media has been preoccupied by yet another war. Definitive reasons as to why the US and Israel initiated an attack on Iran are unclear. Claims have been made that the attack was necessary to achieve regime change and to avert a nuclear threat to western society. Others argue it was a largely unprovoked act.

There is one certainty. With airstrikes continuing to target Iran, and retaliatory attacks on military bases and residential areas around the Middle East and Mediterranean, there have been mass casualties and fears for safety. Citizens able to return to their home countries through various rescue and repatriation programmes are the lucky ones. Those who have already fled their countries to neighbouring ones in an effort to escape other conflicts now find themselves in a new, unexpected and vulnerable situation.

Cairo

At the time of writing, the effects of the US/Israel-Iran war are yet to be felt in Egypt. However, like other regions the country’s economy now faces a risk of significant inflation and the government has warned of an impending state of financial emergency. Impacts on food, clothing and shelter costs are likely to be challenging for grassroots organisations who assist vulnerable communities.

Meanwhile, RBB continues to be active in Cairo. This month, we delivered supplies for an emergency shelter project with our community-led Sudanese partners. Housing is currently provided for some of the most vulnerable people who have fled the conflict in El Fasher in Sudan; including survivors of gender-based violence, people with urgent medical needs, and single mothers with small children.

Distributions for Sudanese and other communities in Cairo 
[image copyright RBB]

Our support has included a three-month supply of staple foods and other items for a community kitchen preparing cooked meals for those staying in the emergency shelter. The kitchen provides two meals each day for people struggling to meet their basic needs. RBB has also contributed towards rent payments to help sustain the shelter. 

Around 800 food parcels were distributed to displaced people from Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea and elsewhere, reaching approximately 4,000 people. In addition, a three-month supply of hygiene items was distributed to around 300 people connected to the shelter and the community kitchen initiative.

We have also been assisting those who managed to evacuate Gaza and reach Cairo. Many have arrived with virtually no personal belongings, including families with injured relatives or those requiring urgent medical treatment. In recent weeks, 400 food parcels have been distributed to around 2,000 evacuees and those still in Gaza.

RBB has also provided ongoing coaching, mentoring, training and peer-to-peer learning for eight people from Palestine and Sudan as part of the Community Humanitarian Leaders Programme. The programme aims to support those with lived experience of displacement, by providing skills and resources needed to help their own communities and to work within the broader NGO field.

Gaza

Access to humanitarian aid inside Gaza has been chronically limited by Israel’s control of maritime and land borders. In the spring and early summer of 2025, a three-month period of complete closure of crossings into Gaza was one of several factors leading up to the announcement of famine taking hold later that year. Israel has a legal duty to ensure that the people of Gaza have shelter and food security. Yet this responsibility has been shirked throughout the ongoing conflict.

With the current US and Israeli political and military focus on Iran, there has been a freeze on progress with the so-called 20-Point Plan to stabilise and eventually reconstruct Gaza. The escalation has also heightened tensions across the region, including in Lebanon, where airstrikes and attacks have killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands of people in recent months.

On 28 February, Israel closed all of Gaza’s borders. This has led to the suspension of medical evacuations and a concern that another prolonged episode of food, shelter and medicine blockade has arrived. The UN and associated organisations have been forced to ration fuel and generator operating times in shelters, resulting in limited availability of electricity and water.

Distributions for Palestinians inside Gaza and those recently evacuated
[image copyright RBB]

Internal availability of produce is drying up. Local food prices have been rising since the start of Ramadan and continue to do so. A major UNRWA-supported community kitchen which served thousands of families in Khan Younis has been forced to close. Aid agencies worry that supplies will be depleted within days unless borders are reopened.

Meanwhile, two thirds of the population are living in camps or less formal displacement sites, 77% are facing high levels of food insecurity, and over 100,000 children are projected to suffer acute malnutrition by April. Despite difficulties with truck access into Gaza and increased costs, RBB is continuing to purchase local goods and is actively preparing to carry out two distributions in Gaza within the next couple of weeks.

Chios island, Greece

In February we reported on an incident involving the Greek Coastguard and a boat carrying a group who were seeking refuge, which resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people. RBB has been supporting families and other survivors from that tragedy over the last few weeks. It has also been business as usual this month with regular aid distributions on Chios— our team have been working around the clock to deliver winter accessories and provide 630 food parcels, supporting around 700 displaced people.

Distributions in Greece [image copyright RBB]

To continue our work in Cairo, Gaza and the Greek islands, we need your help.
Please consider donating today to Refugee Biriyani and Bananas