Our Call For Humanity

To our SITTI community: 

While we are a small social enterprise, we know that our community is diverse, with many members who’ve been directly and indirectly impacted by the intense escalation of violence in Gaza and Israel. Caught amidst this violence are the lives of innocent civilians. It should not be lost on us that many are refugees and displaced people, a large percentage of whom are twice and third-time refugees and displaced. Over 1.2 million Palestinians have been ordered to leave their homes in northern Gaza. Human rights organizations are amounting this to, “the war crime of forcible transfer.”

First and foremost, we express our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in these acts of war and crimes against humanity, and those who are still waiting to hear from loved ones without means of communication. As we write this, many of our team members are struggling with the loss of family members in Gaza, and the horrifying prospect of more loved ones dying.

To say that we hold everyone in our thoughts and prayers right now feels like a hollow statement. As members of one human race, we are all accountable for the injustices and violence that continue to hurt and kill innocent people. We, as a global community, hold responsibility for the systems that have allowed an unlawful occupation of millions of people in Palestine to persist.

We urge everyone to remember that human life is precious. All people deserve the opportunity to live in dignity and peace. There is no hierarchy of human life, except for that which is perpetuated by a society that we permit through reinforced systems of oppression, violence and hate.

SITTI’s mission is to achieve self-reliance for refugee and displaced communities. It saddens us to see humanity taking an enormous step backwards, as innocent people fear for their lives in their own homes. The fact is that it’s impossible to achieve self-reliance without equal access to basic human rights. 

It is easy to feel helpless in times like these. At SITTI, where our family is predominantly living as refugees and displaced people, we continue to work to understand the historic trauma that they have experienced. We want to ensure that our team’s humanity and dignity is preserved, and their well-being is prioritized. We reject any and all racist and bigoted rhetoric. In this time of extreme hate, we choose radical love and extreme care for one another.

This is not a request to stay silent. In fact, it is through our voices and our actions that we live our values and shape the world we want to live in. We have a responsibility as members of a global community to raise our voices and speak out against oppression and injustice, regardless of race, religion or creed. It is only by changing the ways that we operate that we’ll begin to chip away at the systems perpetuating the atrocities we’re witnessing today. 

With love and peace.

The SITTI Team

Resources: 

WRC Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire in Israel/Gaza Conflict (Women's Refugee Commission)

“Civilians are dying as the world watches” (UNRWA) 

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

“Israeli Ultimatum to Gaza must be reversed” (Norwegian Refugee Council) 

“Doctors in Gaza describe the war's devastating impact on hospitals and health care” (NPR) 

“Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel: The IRC warns of catastrophic humanitarian consequences if violence continues, calls for upholding of International Humanitarian Law” (IRC)

“Pain & suffering engulfs children in the State of Palestine & Israel” (UNICEF)

Where you Can Give:  

Please be cautious about where you give. Social media is filled with misinformation, so it’s especially important to verify that your money is being given to organizations that are legitimate and effective in their response.

Oxfam International 

ActionAid

Doctors Without Borders 

Palestine Children’s Relief Fund 

A Note for our Customers:

Please be aware that many members of our team are dealing with extreme loss and trauma at this time, due to loved ones being directly impacted by the violence and forcible displacement going on right now in Gaza. We are doing our best to ensure that we continue to operate and fulfill orders as they come in. However, unexpected delays may occur. We will do our best to communicate with you. We appreciate your understanding during this time of uncertainty, grief and mourning.