August 14, 2014
Palestine
Caritas Czech Republic mobilised from its humanitarian fund 100.000 CZK to send to partners Caritas Jerusalem for support of people in Gaza.
In the period from July till the end of year 2014 the charity help included primarily medicine and medical equipment supplies for public hospitals (Beit Hanoun, Kamal Edwan, Al Shifa a Al Ahli) and also 6000 litres of fuel oil needed for generators used for lighting and appliances in these hospitals. Caritas handed out blankets and food packages with flour, rice, sugar, meat, lentils, soya beans, etc. Caritas also provided psychosocial services and medical check-ups for families who had to leave their houses because of the destruction.
Carefully planned help was organized by Caritas Jerusalem in the amount of 1,13 million EUR. It was provided along with Caritas Czech Republic particularly by Caritas Internationalis – the international society of Caritas -- of which the American arm, named Catholic Relief Services, managed to distribute some aid packages for the Gaza Strip. These packages include sanitary items, small kitchen equipment, gas cookers, containers for water and solar lights.
„This time we didn’t announce any public collection as we had some indication that the charity help would be provided jointly by Caritas. Of course, we will monitor situation in Gaza and we can change our decision according to how things develop,” said Lukas Laube, assistant manager of humanitarian aid and development cooperation of Caritas Czech Republic.
Israel´s air attack in Gaza in July caused death or injury to many. Thousands of civilians to be forced out of their houses; buildings were damaged as well as infrastructure. No doubt, the needs of the people of Gaza will accumulate if the attacks by Israel are prolonged.
Critical humanitarian aid through Caritas Czech Republic is made possible partly by the Three King´s collection.
