In that spirit, Dr. Curt Rhodes, founder of Questscope, urges us to reject the false narrative that paints all civilians in Gaza as terrorists. “Two million Gazans—90% of the population—are displaced, without access to food, water, or medical care. These statistics persist because of the belief in a single story—that all Gazans are terrorists. Seriously?” he asks. “What about the 150 babies born every day, the pregnant and nursing mothers, the elderly, schoolchildren, girls on Facebook in coffee shops, and guys in jeans on every street corner?”
Changing the narrative is essential. We must see people’s humanity and respond with compassion.
Rhodes believes compassion isn’t passive—it demands action. From feeding the hungry to providing medical care, his message is clear: through unconditional compassion, even in small acts of kindness, we can begin to break the cycle of violence and dehumanization. By acting with compassion and rejecting divisive rhetoric, we can bring about a deeper understanding of the people caught in conflict, paving the way for a more just and peaceful future.
Alight is guided by the international humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality and responds to emergencies where we are best positioned to provide immediate support. Over the past year, in partnership with Questscope, our emergency response fundraising collected $117,000 in donations to support afflicted people in Gaza. Together, we formed an alliance with trusted local organizations to provide direct funding and implement emergency response plans.
This collaboration has enabled the efficient delivery of essential food supplies, helping to feed thousands of people in need. We delivered much-needed fuel to hospitals and provided crucial medical and surgical equipment and medications to address the growing health crisis. And in preparation for the coming winter, we supplied blankets and other items to help vulnerable families stay warm.
How you can help
Here are three things you can do today to rehumanize the narrative and provide support to the people who urgently need it:
- Watch the New Humanitarian and Refugees International “Gaza, Sudan, and the Limits of Humanitarian Action” panel and share it with your network to help foster conversation
- Explore the New Humanitarian’s accompanying reading list and share it with others to raise awareness
- Donate to support Alight and Questscope's emergency efforts
