IBTISAM AGHFIR

Benghazi – The Al-Labba Association founded in Libya’s town of Jalu to promote women’s economic empowerment, preserve local heritage and carry out humanitarian works.

“Since its foundation in 2009, the association has carried out activities to promote women’s economic empowerment, preserve local heritage and carry out humanitarian works inside and outside of Libya,” said Mabrouka Ibrahim Shahat, the head of the association.

Although facing financial problems and the lack of support, the association continues to organize activities such as exhibitions for small-scale entrepreneurship and a festival called “Jalu: Land of Dreams” to promote tourism in Jalu. The association aims to organize the third edition of the festival soon.

Since the start of the Libyan civil war in 2011, the association has supported the displaced people, especially those who have taken shelter in Jalu. The association has also supported people in Somalia and Sudan, who suffer from hunger crises.

Convoy to break aid blockade on Gaza

The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted the association to launch an aid campaign seven months ago to provide food and water to displaced people in Gaza, especially in northern Gaza. Despite the closure of the crossings and the lack of financial support, the association has found alternative solutions to deliver aid to Gaza.

“We use digital wallets and cryptocurrencies to send money to Gaza because no one can confiscate money we send to Gaza. Money collected by the association from various cities in Libya reaches Gaza directly.”

Mabrouka Ibrahim Shahat expressed their feelings when they saw videos showing that the aid sent by the association reached Gaza. “We feel comfort and satisfaction, as if we were sitting with them amidst the destruction to say, 'You are not alone’.”

‘Hunger is infidel’

The association now has three new accounts to transfer money to Gaza and has already launched an initiative called “the Water Supply Initiative”. “Our aim is to deliver aid to Gaza as much as possible.”

Despite the hunger and high prices of food in Gaza, she believes that sending money gives people the opportunity to buy what they need or secure the most basic needs. “Hunger is an infidel,” she said. “Dying of starvation is an indescribable tragedy. People in Libya experienced the same thing during the Italian occupation in camps so we understand their suffering well.”

Mabrouka Ibrahim Shahat concluded her speech by calling on all people in Libya not to remain silent “against what is going on in Gaza. We can give a helping hand to the Palestinians. We know we cannot completely change the reality but we can alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.”