The United Nations has stated that Palestinians in Gaza are now facing a major humanitarian crisis. UNISON is urging branches to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Red Cross.
Gaza’s fragile health system was close to collapse long before Israel’s military assault began on 7 October, due to the tight land sea and air blockade on the strip and years of chronic underfunding.
Now, 115 days into the conflict, healthcare has been decimated, with just 14 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals partially functioning and essential medicines and equipment in short supply.
Save the Children estimates that 10 children a day are losing one or both legs, usually due to blast injuries.
For decades, MAP has been working with communities, hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers in Gaza to coordinate care and medical aid, despite the severe restrictions on access.
MAP has been working against the odds in Gaza to get medical supplies and expertise to where it’s needed most. This has included coordinating international health workers to volunteer their expertise in Gaza’s hospitals, which are suffering from a severe shortage of staff due to the war.
According to the UN, at least 300 healthcare workers have been killed in this period.
The Palestinian Red Crescent and Magen David Adom have been leading the response to the emergency in Gaza and Israel. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams have been facilitating trucks of aid with vital medical supplies, tents and blankets, as well as food, water, milk and nappies for children.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has been working to facilitate the release of hostages in Gaza and provide surgeons to hospitals.
The continued bombardment of Gaza has displaced 1.7 million people, forcing most into overcrowded camps, with extremely limited access to clean water and sanitation. Infectious diseases are increasing as a result, further overwhelming a health system that is attempting to deal with an additional 65,000 injured people, despite the severe shortage of life saving supplies.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has declared the entire population at imminent risk of famine.
UNISON has already donated £10,000 to support the emergency response. But we also need every branch to give what it can to help alleviate this desperate situation.
The people of Palestine and Israel cannot wait. Please give what you can today.
