1 week after reported bombing destroyed 4,000+ cans, Catholic apostolate resumes distributing baby formula in Gaza

About one week after a bomb reportedly destroyed the warehouse in Northern Gaza where over 4,000 cans of baby formula were being staged for distribution among starving infants, a US-based Catholic apostolate resumed distributing the precious food Aug. 21.

“We are undeterred,” said Jason Jones, president and founder of the Vulnerable People Project (VPP). Jones told CatholicVote Aug. 21 that his team had managed to source and distribute 213 cans of baby formula – far less than the large stockpile lost in the bombing. 

He shared footage and photographs last week of the aftermath of the reported Aug. 14 bombing, which VPP reported took the lives of two of its humanitarian aid workers. All that appeared to be left of the warehouse was rubble.

VPP also provided CatholicVote with a list of goods taken out by the bombing. Among such things as fresh vegetable packages and cooking oil was the large quantity of baby formula:

• 519 (900-gr) cans of baby formula
• 1,000 (1,200-gr) cans of baby formula
• 2,500 (230-gr) cans of baby formula

Speaking to CatholicVote just after the reported bombing last week, Jones said, “We are already sourcing new formula. We will still deliver the formula to these babies next week, despite this tragedy. Our commitment is unchanged.”

VPP has been working around the clock in the week since to make good on that commitment. 

In the meantime, the organization also sent a treat this week – shave ice – and even a clown to boost the morale of children, many of them orphaned, who are currently staying at a refugee camp in Gaza.

Jones, a Catholic father of seven, said he approaches VPP’s work with the attitude of a father. “We try to do these little special things,” he said. “Maybe it’s impractical, but any dad can tell you that these things matter to the kids.”

Jones’ determination to get more formula to Gaza’s infants has not let up, despite the relatively small number of cans VPP was able to deliver this week. “We’re working hard to source more as we speak,” he said. “We will not be deterred.”

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