Since the Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire on January 18 and the subsequent Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip on January 21, the provision of humanitarian relief and the process of rebuilding have been undertaken in earnest. The conflict was an immediate humanitarian crisis. People were unable to flee indiscriminate bombing and attacks by the Israeli military while the health infrastructure was on the brink of collapse.

With your help, MADRE and our partner, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), responded to the immediate crisis by providing primary and emergency medical services throughout Gaza. With eight clinics in the Gaza Strip, PMRS was able to supply emergency aid to much of the area. The organization quickly established a 12-month action plan to address the humanitarian crisis.

Since the ceasefire, PMRS has intensified its work, including the extension of mobile clinic activities and the distribution of water, first aid kits, blankets and mattresses. PMRS was also able to mobilize hundreds of volunteers to join a team of 70 medical professionals in working all over Gaza, as well as provide psychosocial services, increase coordination with other organizations, and ensure that primary health care clinics remained open, serving hundreds of people each day. Furthermore, PMRS has implemented first aid training courses for volunteers, with about 90 people completing the training to date. PMRS still has an urgent need for essential medicines, more psychosocial services, mobile medical treatment, and physiotherapy. PMRS is placing a particular emphasis on dealing with the psychological effects of this crisis on the Gazan population. Prior to the most recent Israeli incursion, there was already a high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder among Gazan children, and it can only be expected that such psychological disorders will greatly increase.

Pictures:

• PMRS in Gaza (JPG)