With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), 13 emergency first aid teams have been established in Palestine. These teams, operating across 13 regions of the West Bank, consist of 65 members including one doctor, two nurses, and two volunteers per team.
In response to the increasing attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in Palestine, TİKA collaborated with the Palestinian Women’s Union, established in 1965, to create 13 teams. The initiative aims to strengthen the role of Palestinian women in society while enabling more effective responses to emergencies.
As part of the project launched under the slogan “Be Prepared, Save Lives,” 13 teams were established to operate in various regions of the West Bank. These teams consist of 65 members in total, including one doctor, two nurses, and two volunteers per team.
In the cities of Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron, volunteer women received training in first aid, basic life support, and advanced cardiac life support. Following the training sessions, professional first aid kits, provided by TİKA, were distributed to the doctors, nurses, and volunteers.
Certificates were awarded to the volunteer women who successfully completed the training during a formal ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Jerusalem, Ambassador İsmail Çobanoğlu; TİKA’s Coordinator in Palestine, Orhan Aydın; Palestinian Women’s Union President, and former Minister of Social Affairs, Intissar al-Wazir; as well as union members and volunteers.
In her speech at the ceremony, Union President al-Wazir expressed her gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish people for their support for Palestine. Al-Wazir remarked, “This project is of vital importance in the face of increasing attacks and harassment. It will empower Palestinian women to play a stronger role in society.”
Ambassador Çobanoğlu highlighted Türkiye’s leading role in providing aid to Gaza and stated, “Supporting the Palestinian people during this challenging period is both a legal and moral duty. TİKA effectively identifies the needs in Palestine and stands out, particularly with its projects focused on empowering women.”
Through this initiative, TİKA aims not only to equip Palestinian women with skills in the healthcare field but also to enhance their socioeconomic and cultural roles within society.