August 13, 2024
News
Absolute devastation. That is how Gaza looks more than 10 months after the start of the war. Most of Gaza is practically levelled, with 90% of its residents forced out of their homes. There is a catastrophic shortage of even the most basic necessities. Caritas has 12 medical teams on the ground providing both healthcare and psychological assistance. Caritas Czech Republic is ensuring additional healthcare for civilians in Gaza.
DONATE TO HELP CIVILIANS IN GAZA
10 months of indescribable suffering
It is hard to put into words the tragedy that has been unfolding in Gaza for over 10 months. Since October last year, over 39,000 people have been killed, and more than 91,000 have been injured. It is estimated that at least another 10,000 people are still buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. The vast majority of the residents have had to flee their homes and temporary shelters, many of them repeatedly. They are now surviving in crammed inhumane conditions in former schools, and hospitals, but also in makeshift tents, or ruins of buildings. There is a catastrophic shortage of even basic necessities such as drinking water, food, and healthcare. This is in an area where half of the population consists of children. None of the 625,000 students can attend school.
The catastrophic shortage of food, use of contaminated drinking water, and insufficient access to healthcare in Gaza has lead to the spread of diseases and further preventable deaths. Many people die from illnesses that would normally be easily treatable. According to an estimate published on the renowned medical journal Lancet’s website at the beginning of July, the total death toll of the war in Gaza could be as high as 186,000 or even more.
Caritas Jerusalem has 12 medical teams helping directly in Gaza
Caritas Jerusalem, with whom we closely cooperate, focuses on providing primary healthcare directly in Gaza. It had been active in the area long before the current war. At the moment, Caritas has 75 employees in Gaza, mainly doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. They are divided into 12 medical teams. Eleven of these operate in the central part of Gaza, with the highest concentration of displaced people. One team is in Gaza City, where Caritas Jerusalem’s main centre and primary healthcare centre, now damaged, was originally located. Our colleagues are working to restore it.
Recently, a healthcare centre was made operational in central Gaza, but most aid is provided in tents or makeshift shelters. Medical staff focus mainly on treating minor injuries and chronic diseases. They also provide psychosocial care, including for children, one million of whom need psychological help in Gaza. They organise various activities for children to help them cope with the traumatic situation.
Caritas Czech Republic provides further assistance
The devastation in Gaza is immense, and basic infrastructure is destroyed. Most healthcare facilities have had to close or significantly reduce their services. There is a lack of fuel for generators to ensure the operation of intensive and specialised care, medicines, and other medical supplies. Currently, 56 per cent of hospitals in Gaza are non-functional, and only 42% of primary care centres are operating to some extent. Caritas Czech Republic, in cooperation with Caritas Jerusalem, will provide healthcare for 5,000 people. This is another cooperation to help affected civilians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic has financially supported the provision of healthcare in Gaza.
To ensure all necessary humanitarian aid reaches Gaza’s residents, a long-term ceasefire and a massive increase in humanitarian supplies to the area are needed. Caritas Czech Republic has long been calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the provision of adequate humanitarian aid.
Thank you for helping with us.
DONATE TO HELP CIVILIANS IN GAZA
