QRC relief efforts continue in Gaza

Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) relief teams are continuing with their efforts to help the distressed people of Gaza and treat the victims of Israeli aggression.

The QRC office in Gaza has identified the most pressing needs in the Gaza Strip. According to Dr Akram Nassar, head of the office, new medical equipment worth $200,000 has already been ordered and will be distributed to Gaza hospitals, including computerised X-ray systems, ICU equipment, electrocardiography devices, operating room equipment, emergency vehicles, hospital beds and medical laboratories.

Dr Nassar has also revealed steps to procure more medical equipment at a total cost of $1.5mn, hopefully to boost the efficiency and capacity of Gaza hospitals and increase responsiveness to the aftermath of the aggression and allow for more intake.

Regarding the role played by Al Amal Hospital’s Medical Rehabilitation Department, director-general Dr Wael Mekki said: “Al Amal Hospital has become the only medical facility in Gaza to provide medical rehabilitation after the destruction of Al Wafaa Medical Hospital. We have received 23 (cases of) injuries in the head, spinal cord and backbone, as well as fractures and limb losses.”

Inaugurated by QRC in July 2013, the department has effectively treated injuries during the aggression, according to Dr Mekki. He urged everyone to help expand the department to serve more injured Palestinians, now exceeding 10,000.

The Israeli aggression against Gaza has so far caused eight hospitals to stop working out of 25 in Gaza. As a result, the available stock of medicines and medical requirements has dwindled alarmingly. Besides, due to the siege, more than 30% of basic medicines and 55% of medical necessities have already run out.

The orthopaedics unit faces a severe shortfall in different medical necessities. Inadequate capabilities reduced general and intensive care services to emergency cases. Also, lack of fuel to operate power generators and keep hospitals working in the face of recurrent Gaza-wide power outages exacerbated the situation in all hospitals.

Meanwhile, children are the top priority for QRC’s relief endeavours in all aspects, particularly healthcare. The injury toll has reached 2,877 children.

Reportedly, there are 373,000 children showing signs that require urgent social psychological support. Diarrhoea and cutaneous conditions have been identified among the displaced people at sheltering schools, a risk indicator of widespread infections due to deteriorating health conditions.

From the beginning of the crisis, QRC allocated $2mn through its Disaster Response Fund to provide urgent relief for Gaza. An emergency appeal was also issued to raise $3mn to help 40,000 people, or 6,000 families, affected by the Israeli attacks on Gaza, over six months.

QRC receives donations via the hotline, 6666-6364, QRC premises in Old Salata or agents at various malls, online at www.qrcs.org.qa or by sending an SMS with ‘Qatar’ to 92766 to donate QR100.

Hope and a smile amid destruction and injury

“My smile is back despite my serious injury after the bombing of our home,” said Rawan al-Najjar (pictured) from Khan Younis, southern Gaza, describing the calamity that struck when her family’s home was hit by an Israeli attack and she was injured in the eyes and several parts of her body.

The young girl’s case has been at the centre of global attention, being covered by many national and international media agencies amid the concerns of her family and Palestinian rights proponents around the world.

“I was immediately sent for treatment to Al Amal Hospital’s Medical Rehabilitation Department in Khan Younis. Ever since I was hospitalised, all the hospital staff looked after me very well, which enabled me to recover quickly,” she said.

Al-Najjar hopes that her treatment will be over soon so that she is able to play with her friends and neighbours again when the bombing stops and innocent Gaza children can enjoy peace and security.

Qatargas donates QR2mn for Gaza relief

As part of Qatar’s solidarity festival in support of the people of Gaza during the current humanitarian crisis, Qatargas Operating Company Limited has made a donation of QR2mn to help deliver humanitarian aid and as an expression of the company’s solidarity with the victims of the crisis.

Qatargas is working in co-ordination with Qatar Red Crescent and in conjunction with the Palestinian ministry of health to ensure that the aid is delivered to the suffering population of Gaza in the most timely and efficient manner possible.