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Northern Gaza has now been under violent siege for 20 days. Over 770 people have been killed, more than 1,000 injured and many are missing. The entire area is being asked to evacuate and for those who are unable, their fate is uncertain. The region’s last partially functioning hospitals are being targeted, gravely damaging buildings and equipment, and putting the lives of patients and staff in danger.
Al-Awda's hospital in Jabalia, which Relief International is supporting, may be being forced to cease operations. The facility has been encircled by armed forces for the past 48 hours, meaning neither civilians nor staff can get in or out. In recent hours, staff report the hospital’s warehouse and pharmacy have been shelled.
The 151 people trapped inside, including seven children, have had no access to clean water and have had no option but to drink salinated water from a well. Responding to evacuation orders, the hospital is now being forced to coordinate the transportation of patients south to Gaza City, however this is not a viable option.
The area around the hospital is inaccessible, which would make transportation impossible without a ceasefire. The journey to Gaza City is extremely dangerous, with limited routes available for safe transport, and healthcare staff and civilians being targeted. Even if they were to arrive safely, it is not certain that treatment will be possible. The whole of Gaza’s healthcare system has been devastated and access to medical supplies is severely lacking.
Conditions in Gaza are unbearable and continue to deteriorate without enough shelter, food and water. At the same time, humanitarian organizations are not able to bring in supplies or staff to provide critically needed support.
Craig Redmond, CEO at Relief International says,
“The horror that is taking place in Gaza must stop. We cannot stress this enough. We demand an urgent end to the targeting of civilians and healthcare infrastructure.
“Al-Awda staff have shown incredible dedication, choosing to stay to help members of their communities in critical need. Since the offensive in Northern Gaza started, they have helped thousands of patients and performed hundreds of surgeries with the hospital crumbling around them.
“It is critical that healthcare and health staff are protected, and that more medical professionals are deployed to help treat the increasing number of civilians with severe injuries.
“We call on all parties for an immediate and permanent ceasefire; to protect all civilians, health workers and health facilities; to provide safe, unimpeded, and sustained humanitarian access, and to respect international humanitarian law. This living nightmare must end.”
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Relief International-France in the occupied Palestinian territories
With support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Relief International has been expanding the capacity of Al-Awda's Hospitals in Jabalia and Nuseirat, as well as supplying essential resources.
Since August, Al-Awda’s facilities have reached 2,000 people with secondary health services, including general and trauma surgery, reproductive healthcare and treatment for moderate and severe acute malnutrition.
Whilst the situation remains unpredictable, it is certain that the impact of this war will be lasting. In the long-term, Relief International is committed to working with Al-Awda to restore health facilities in Gaza, and to support the health and wellbeing of the people of Palestine.
About Relief International
Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Our team of more than 7,000 staff and local volunteers work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience. We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.