The idea of Dar Al-Raja was born in response to the emergency circumstances that the Gaza Strip is going through due to the occupation, to include orphaned children and young mothers who lost their husbands during the aggression, Dar Al-Raja aims to provide a decent life for children and mothers, and a secure future for them, by providing their daily needs so that they can continue practicing their lives, which makes Dar Al-Raja an integrated community, and a unique shelter, as it is productive, protective, and a community led by the residents themselves

Dar Al Raja is not a traditional emergency shelter, but rather a community-led and self-managed ecosystem, in an attempt to occupy the residents and inform them of the continuity of life despite the conditions where the residents participate in a mother-led kitchen, mothers cook more than 1000 meals per month for all families, education also by mothers, volunteer education within the "Education in Tents" initiative, psychological support services, for women and children for collective healing and rehabilitation in addition to joint management, residents participate in the supervision of cleanliness, safety, and logistics.

Widowed mothers turned to:

Teachers: Teaching children in makeshift classes

Female chefs: Preparing food with dignity and responsibility

Garrisons: Ensuring Safety, Cleanliness and Order in the Camp

The goal of Dar Al-Raja is not limited to merely providing shelter for the displaced, but also aims to empower marginalized groups and those affected by aggression to become individuals capable of managing themselves and organizing their lives, enabling them to be active members of society and part of post-war reconstruction. The camp especially focuses on children, as it seeks to foster a supportive environment for child development and assist them so that they can build their future and extend a helping hand to their community, in a serious attempt to alleviate the burdens of the war that led to the near-total destruction of infrastructure, schools, universities, and public facilities, which exacerbated the unemployment crisis and the general sense of loss of hope for reconstruction.

Services offered by the Dar Al-Raja community

To achieve the camp’s objectives, Dar Al-Raja was established on an area of 4,000 square meters in the Zawayda area, and contains:

- 40 tents of high specifications, with bathrooms.

- A kitchen providing three meals daily to residents of the camp.

- A medical clinic with a resident doctor, in addition to a psychiatric clinic.

Solar energy, for generating electricity, in addition to a strong internet network.  

Two wells to meet the community's water needs due to the difficulty of obtaining clean water.  

Three educational classes in an attempt to compensate for learning loss, and conducting psychological relief and recreational activities for children.  

Camp staff:  

- A specialized and trained team to manage the camp.  

- A security team consisting of six guards, 3 in the morning shift and 3 in the evening shift, to ensure the provision of protection and safety for the camp and its residents around the clock.  

- Monitoring and evaluation: issuing periodic reports on the camp's conditions and needs, and periodic evaluation of the camp, in order to develop strategic plans to improve the camp environment.  

- On-site general practitioner, and a psychological support team.

Impact Measurement – Listening to the Community

In April 2024, Al-Ataa Palestine Society conducted a comprehensive survey to evaluate services and identify gaps.

Survey results:

95% of mothers felt safe.

92% noticed psychological improvement in their children.

90% rated the food and services between good and excellent.

The Society is working on replicating the Dar Al-Raja experience in other locations in the Gaza Strip to accommodate more orphaned children and unsupported mothers.

Donate now and be part of building Dar Al-Raja 2- Donate Now