RS35377_ by Aya Matrabie / DEC

Photos from the life of Aya. ...."I can’t say what will happen next month but I know people are suffering now and resorting to different methods to stay alive. People are burning items to be able to cook as there is no fuel. They are even cutting trees, for firewood - trees that are over 50 years old. ....I wish I could give every woman in Gaza new lungs because of what they have had to inhale for the last two years trying to cook for their families without fuel.....People try to support each other but you can only do that when you have something to share. Some camps have no support, no tekias [community kitchens], no bakers."....Aya Matrabie is a 26-year-old freelance documentary filmmaker from Gaza who has been documenting the humanitarian work of DEC charities and their local partners over the last few months, via content agency Fairpicture. Before the current escalation in conflict, she ran a poetic documentary filmmaking course for young women. When the conflict escalated she held drama workshops for children to improve their mental health.....She smiled throughout the interview and reassured us that everything is, or will be, okay.....Interview by Becky Mansell and Shagufta Yaqub, DEC on 9 May 2025 via video call from Gaza.