Posted August 14th, 2014 by Christina Parsons
HPIC is working with its partners to send essential medicines and medical supplies to overwhelmed hospitals and clinics in Gaza.
The humanitarian needs in Gaza are mounting as the violence continues between Israel and Hamas. At least 335,000 people have been displaced from their homes and remain in emergency shelters or with host families. 16,700 homes in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged. Caught in the middle, the civilian population has to cope with severe shortages in water and power services and the explosive remnants of war.
The UN has warned of a ‘rapidly unfolding’ health disaster in Gaza (link) as weeks of intense fighting has left medical services and facilities in the Gaza strip on the edge of collapse. One third of hospitals, 14 primary health care clinics and 29 Palestinian Red Crescent and Ministry of Health ambulances have been damaged in the fighting. The hospitals and clinics that are still functioning are greatly overwhelmed. Since July 7, reportedly more than 9536 people have been injured, including 2877 children, 1853 women and 347 elderly. Essential stocks of medicines and medical supplies have almost been depleted.
HPIC is in the process initiating a global response to this desperate humanitarian situation in coordination with its partners in the UK (International Health Partners) and Gaza. In Gaza, one of these partners is ANERA – one of the few international organizations that consistently gets health care and humanitarian supplies into Gaza. ANERA has been distributing antibiotics, painkillers, and surgical supplies to Gazan hospitals since the start of the emergency, but the needs remain significant.
HPIC is working to collect medicines and supplies to ship to Gaza through ANERA and other partners. Your donation to HPIC’s Emergency Response Fund helps to ensure that lifesaving medicines and supplies are delivered to those who need it most.