Attachments
Operational Challenges (Excerpt)
• The recent Rafah incursion which in reality has seen intensified attacks not only in Rafah but in North
Gaza and Deir Al Balah as well has resulted in a worsened operational environment
• High insecurity resulting in an unsafe operational environment, loss of life and property; Almost 500
health workers and partner staff have lost their lives – at least 260 aid workers killed
• Targeting of health facilities resulted in damage to 89% of all pre-existing hospitals), and several
primary healthcare centres
• Hundreds of thousands of dollar’s worth of medical supplies and equipment have been destroyed
• Forced mass displacements of partners and the general population - most recent displacement from
Rafah with over 800,000 people having left to the west coast middle areas
• Limited access to the northern governorates hindering access to the affected population
• There is a severe lack of medical supplies and equipment due to significant logistical challenges and
entry restrictions.
• The limited access to electricity and power generation supplies such as fuel and solar systems hinders
the proper functioning of both health facilities and partner operations. – health facilities and partner
operations require 1.4-1.8 million litres of fuel
• The current medical evacuation mechanism is plagued by numerous challenges, including a limited
number of patients evacuated per day, restrictive criteria, long waiting periods for patients, and
competing priorities between patients with war injuries and those with chronic diseases. – since 6
May medevacs to outside Gaza ceased due to closure of the crossing
• Brain drain - The staff and the general population are traumatized forcing those who can raise the
exorbitant fees to leave the Gaza Strip, starting a brain drain on the health system and other sectors.
• The formal market system has collapsed, and the informal market now dominates economic activities.
Although cash is still available, movement and access to it are increasingly challenging, posing
significant issues for partner operations.
• Poor telecommunications weakening referral mechanisms (community to facility and between facilities)
• Lack of access to water supply and other WASH needs including proper waste management capacity
• Immediate and sustained ceasefire.
• Sustained humanitarian access to adequate quantities of supplies (including urgently needed fuel
supplies and hospital equipment) and people (humanitarian workers, health workers, and patients).
• Ensure respect and the protection of health care at all times.
• Mitigation measures to reduce risk to staff, such as armoured vehicles, personal protective equipment
(ballistic), and communications equipment.