By: Ra’ed al Nims

Ahmad Yihya Awad (28) carries out voluntary work for Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of peaceful protests known as the March of Return a few months ago, Ahmad has been evacuating and assisting Palestinian casualties along Gaza’s eastern borders alongside other PRCS’ volunteers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). What Ahmad sees in the line of duty causes him great distress, as well as mixed feeling of sadness, fear, satisfaction and happiness.

Highlights:

Highlights:

(Al-Bireh - 22/5/2018): PRCS’ Psychosocial Support Team offered Psychological First Aid (PFA) to more than 6000 persons in the Gaza Strip during the period from March 30, when protests known as the March of Return began, to the 15th of May.

As clashes between Palestinian protestors and Israeli occupation forces intensified on the Strip’s borders, the Team offered PFA to 2617 wounded Palestinians and medical service providers, including EMTs, doctors, nurses and volunteers, as well as to 3674 of their relatives and accompanying persons.

(Al Bireh - 13/5/2018): PRCS’ Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) attended to about 603 Palestinians wounded in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as occupation forces cracked down on protesters taking part in the March of Return on Friday 11 May,2108.

PRCS’ teams provided first aid services to 512 casualties in the Gaza Strip alone, including 123 Palestinians shot with live ammunition, 232 tear gas suffocation cases, , 103 tear gas canister wounds and 54 other casualties caused by shells, burns, falls and shrapnel.