March 15, 2024
All news
The people in Gaza are living in devastating conditions. Our colleague Amal was forced to leave his home in Gaza when the war began. He and his family then lived with his friends in Khan Younis when their building was bombed in December. Amal's brother lost his leg under the crushed building and is still waiting for proper treatment. Another colleague from Caritas Jerusalem is still searching for shelter after having moved five times.
Inhumane conditions in Gaza
The conditions in Gaza are inhumane. Access to water, hygiene and sanitation services remains severely hindered, as the power supply across Gaza has been cut for months already. More than 80% of households lack safe and clean water access. The crisis also has a big impact on housing. Over 85% of the people had to leave their homes. Shelter is the most urgent need for the people in Gaza after water and food. Amal and Hanna (names have been changed for safety reasons), Caritas Jerusalem staff, had to relocate several times with their families.
No capacities in the hospitals
After the war started, Amal, a graphic designer at Caritas Jerusalem, and his family were forced to move to Khan Younis, a city in the south of the Gaza Strip, where they found shelter. The resources were scarce, while they stayed with fifty-seven other people for over two months in a house intended for notably fewer inhabitants. In December, the building was bombed and many people were injured. Amal had shrapnel wounds and injuries from the walls that collapsed. Amal’s brother lost his leg. He was the only one of the family who could stay in the hospital because all the medical centres have been overcrowded. After two months, he is still waiting for suitable treatment.
The endless search for shelter
Hanna, a social worker at Caritas Jerusalem, had to flee her house with her family, including her elderly father in a wheelchair. They found shelter at an acquaintance, but after a while they were warned to evacuate again, as the area was about to be bombed. Whenever they found shelter for a while, the whole family of 22 people had to relocate again. Under fire and bombardment, Hanna and her family had to relocate five times with her father, who is disabled. Caritas Jerusalem is working hard to supply the basic needs, but the family is still unsafe.
Caritas Jerusalem continues to provide support to people in Gaza
Despite the catastrophic conditions, our partner organisation Caritas Jerusalem is helping and working on the ground to support the people in Gaza. Caritas Jerusalem has long been working in Gaza and has a hundred staff there, mainly dedicated to providing medical care in their own clinic. Unfortunately, due to the damage caused by the fighting, the clinic had to be closed, but as soon as the situation allows, the Caritas clinic and the medical centre in Gaza will be opened again.
For now, Caritas Jerusalem was able to set up three makeshift primary clinics in the south of the country. Furthermore, our colleagues provide medical supplies and psychological support in the shelters and give out food vouchers. The Catholic Relief Services, a sister organisation of Caritas, provides emergency materials and cash assistance for food and supplies. However, the need for basic necessities grows every day. Caritas Czech Republic launched an appeal to help the civilians in Gaza. All the funds go to our partner organisation, Caritas Jerusalem, to continue the help and aid provision in Gaza.
We express our sincere admiration and gratitude towards our colleagues from Caritas Jerusalem, who are continuing to help others.
We thank everyone who donates and helps the people in Gaza.
Donate and help civilians in Gaza
