Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, November/December 2024, pp. 84-85
Waging Peace
Anera hosted its annual dinner fundraiser at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC, on Oct. 4. For 56 years, Anera has provided humanitarian relief to Palestinians living in refugee camps, as well as long-term development aid. The dinner was attended by 520 guests and raised more than $3 million to support Anera’s vital humanitarian and development initiatives in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Jordan. The event was not just a fundraiser—it was a confirmation that there is a powerful global community that is working for meaningful change.
Hala Taha, host of the popular Young and Profiting (YAP) Podcast and CEO of YAP Media, served as a skillful MC. Anera’s president and CEO Sean Carroll, chairman of the board Joe Saba and Palestine country director Sandra Rasheed spoke to attendees. They visited the Nur Shams Refugee Camp in the Tulkarm Governorate of the West Bank in September and saw “complete and utter destruction” in the camp, with streets razed and electricity, water and sewage networks, a kindergarten, a community hall and a youth center, along with many stores and private cars, destroyed by countless Israeli incursions.
Human rights attorney and Rutgers professor Noura Erakat praised Anera’s staff and described how they have become family to each other. She noted their daily commitment and resilience, especially those toiling on the ground in Palestine and Lebanon, often working through personal tragedy to deliver life-saving aid. Erakat admitted it’s been a grueling year for everyone. She also reminded attendees, “Palestinians don’t need to be saved. We just need your support so we can save ourselves.”
Political commentator Mehdi Hasan acknowledged the dedication of Anera’s team and the outpouring of support from nearly 70,000 new donors in 141 countries, raising funds at marathons, cultural events and college campuses.
World Central Kitchen’s José Andrés sent a video message from North Carolina where he was providing food and water to people affected by Hurricane Helene. He praised his partner Anera and urged the organization to “keep moving forward.” He marveled, “When the worst things happen, always the best of humanity shows up.”
Palestine country director Rasheed highlighted Anera’s logistical achievements, while dealing with ever-changing Israeli regulations and challenges. Anera has coordinated with 80 organizations to provide millions of meals, medical treatments and essential supplies. Expressing deep appreciation for her team, Rasheed honored the dedication of Anera’s 35-person core staff in Palestine, especially those in Gaza who work in tents and share moments of grief and solidarity.
In his poignant speech, Carroll paid tribute to Anera’s fallen colleague Mousa Shawa, 41, killed while wearing his Anera vest by an Israeli airstrike, along with his 6-year-old son in Al Zawayda, Deir al-Balah, on March 8, 2024. Shawa started working for Anera as a driver and custodian 15 years ago and rose to the role of logistics and support coordinator, getting aid to people who needed it most, Carroll said. “Nowhere in Gaza is safe and safe spaces in Lebanon are shrinking.” He emphasized the persistence of grief fatigue among Anera’s staff, who continue to deliver aid under harrowing conditions, and underscored the need for ongoing support from donors to sustain these vital efforts. He zeroed in on the stark reality that Israel is restricting Palestinians’ access to aid and committing a plausible genocide. While Anera has managed to deliver more than 1,000 truckloads of aid into Gaza, this falls far short of the need.
Despite the challenges, Carroll affirmed Anera’s commitment to not only providing emergency relief but also advocating for long-term change and support for Palestinians’ aspirations. “Part of Anera’s work,” said Carroll, “even if not our main mandate, ends up being about showing the world that Palestinians’ aspirations are as valid as anyone else’s.” Carroll concluded by vowing to counter the narrative that Palestinian lives are not worth saving. He requested a minute of silence to honor all those lost in the conflicts and reiterated the importance of Anera’s role in delivering hope and advocating for peace in the Middle East.
—Delinda C. Hanley
