Amid the harsh conditions of displacement in Gaza, women have turned to recycling old clothes to provide warmth for their children. The difficult circumstances, including the high prices of clothing and the scarcity of aid, have driven these women to take this creative step.

In the overcrowded camps of Gaza, where displaced families have sought refuge, basic necessities are hard to come by. One such woman, Umm Abir Salama, collects old clothes from her neighbors in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, for symbolic prices. She then disassembles these clothes and works with her daughter, Abir, to create new garments tailored to the sizes and needs of the children.

Abir, 24, had previously studied sewing and tailoring at a UNRWA center in the Shati refugee camp. Her skills have become invaluable to her community, and she takes pride in designing clothes from recycled fabrics, even though she faces the challenge of limited resources. She says, "Recycling clothes is both hard and fun. I feel satisfied practicing the specialty I learned."

Despite losing their home over a year ago due to heavy Israeli bombardment, Umm Abir and her daughter overcame the lack of a sewing machine by taking their designs to tailors in Deir al-Balah's central market. This effort eventually led to financial support from an international organization, enabling them to buy a second-hand sewing machine. To deal with the electricity crisis, they use solar-powered batteries for the machine, resorting to manual sewing when necessary.

The project has expanded to involve other women skilled in sewing, and they now display and sell their products in markets and online. Zainab Khalidi, another contributor, says, "Every woman contributes her skills to this collective effort. Thanks to our cooperation, we’ve provided warm clothes for children during the cold winter." The women take great joy in seeing the smiles on the children's faces, knowing their hard work has helped those in need.

Before the Second Intifada, the sewing and textile sector was a major employer in Gaza, but repeated wars and the ongoing blockade have devastated the industry. The local factories, once employing thousands, are now a shadow of their former selves, with many forced to abandon the profession due to the challenges faced by the Gaza Strip.