Ten-year-old Renad Ataullah from Deir el-Balah, Gaza has over 450,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares her cookery posts that have gained immense popularity both in Gaza and around the world. Renad began cooking with her family during the recent war in Gaza, using ingredients from aid boxes to create meals. She has missed a year of school due to the war and is currently sheltering with her family in a crowded house that has been the focus of Israeli bombardment.
Her older sister, Nourhan, who manages Renad’s content, ensures that the videos are sensitive to the struggles faced by those in Gaza, especially with food and water shortages. Nourhan recalls the difficulty of finding food during the war and the importance of food aid boxes for their meals.
Food shortages in Gaza have reached critical levels, with children being severely affected by malnutrition. Many children are being treated for wasting, a condition that can have long-term effects on their health and development. Renad and Nourhan use their platform to highlight the challenges faced by displaced people in Gaza and share recipes using readily available ingredients.
Despite the hardships they face, Renad dreams of returning to school and opening her own restaurant in the future. Her videos offer a glimpse of life in Gaza during the war and serve as a source of hope and inspiration for many. Their story sheds light on the resilience and strength of the people of Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
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