Go to main content

Ceasefire announced at Gaza, HI prepares to rehabilitate over 500

Emergency Rehabilitation
Palestine

An announced ceasefire between Gaza and Israel enables Humanity & Inclusion (HI) teams to begin providing rehabilitation services for over 500 people in need

HI Staff assists injured civilian in rehabilitation session in Gaza, 2018

HI Staff assists injured civilian in rehabilitation session in Gaza, 2018 | © Hardy Skills / HI – Archive

Twelve days after the most recent escalation of violence in the Gaza strip and Israel, the parties involved have announced a ceasefire. 
This long awaited break comes after nearly 8 days of constant bombings resulted in 242 lives lost between Gaza and Israel, including 67 children and 43 women . Over 1700 have sustained injuries. [1]

“We’ve been waiting for a ceasefire as soon as possible. We can now start responding to humanitarian needs with more ease and be able to intensify the distribution of a lot more aid than what we’ve done so far.”

Laurent Palustran, HI country manager for the region

According to a recent report by the UNWRA, around 91,000 people have been internally displaced, over 66,000 of which have sought shelter in the 58 UNWRA schools opened for their benefit. Amongst these, HI teams have been able to conduct needs assessments to determine next steps.

“We’re starting to get clearer data thanks to these evaluations. We have identified over 500 people in these shelters that are disabled and in need.”

Laurent Palustran

HI’s Rehabilitation Task Force Coordinator in Gaza, Reham Shaheen, explained the needs of the vulnerable populations HI serves in areas of conflict. Reham says, “Psychosocial support is one of the greatest needs. Many will lose a limb or an organ and will have psychological needs afterwards. People really need mental health and counselling to cope with the current situation. Then there is great need for multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, like physiotherapy and wound dressing sessions to prevent disabilities after injury.”

“Usually the needs of injured people change after a few weeks. There is either deterioration or improvement in their condition, so there is dire need for assistive devices and rehabilitation support as well.”

Reham Shaheen, Rehabilitation Task Force Coordinator in Gaza

At this time, HI is prepared to distribute mobility aids such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs, along with Infection Prevention and Control kits to keep wounds clean and prevent infection that could lead to long-term ailments.

The region is also still in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic. “This escalation occurred while we’re being hit with a second wave of COVID19”, says Reham. “We have two emergencies, so there is a need for hygiene kits. People need to have clean environments to be able to avoid illness, and in terms of injuries, to keep their wounds clean to avoid any infections.”

While the civilians of Gaza and Israel finally can breathe easier for now, the greatest hope is that the ceasefire remains in place.


[1] Escalation in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel | Flash Update. (2021, May 20). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Occupied Palestinian Territory. https://www.ochaopt.org/content/escalation-gaza-strip-west-bank-and-israel-flash-update-10-covering-1200-19-may-1200-20-may

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Fatou Thiam

USA

Mica BEVINGTON

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

International humanitarian conference for the civilian population in Gaza 13 NGOs demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel Emergency

International humanitarian conference for the civilian population in Gaza 13 NGOs demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

Today is the International Humanitarian Conference for the civilian population of Gaza, organized by France and 13 humanitarian, development and human rights organizations, reminding us of the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire to save human lives in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank.

HI provides support to affected populations after a new earthquake
© HI
Emergency

HI provides support to affected populations after a new earthquake

HI teams arrived in the worst-affected areas to assess needs and support local health services following the earthquake on November 3rd.

Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Mitigating the catastrophic impact on persons with disabilities
© HI
Emergency

Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Mitigating the catastrophic impact on persons with disabilities

HI publishes the report ‘Inclusive Humanitarian Action – Gaza’ on the need to strengthen inclusive humanitarian response in Gaza: Persons with disabilities are particularly affected by the devastating humanitarian crisis and face greater barriers to accessing humanitarian assistance than many others. HI, which specializes in supporting vulnerable people, including persons with disabilities, calls on humanitarian organizations and donors to adapt their activities to ensure that no person with disabilities is left behind in the Gaza Strip.