The United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid and Development Activities Jamie McGoldrick announced the release of $2.2 million from the occupied Palestinian territory’s Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF) to address urgent humanitarian needs resulting from the massive rise in Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement the humanitarian coordinator stated “Over the course of four Fridays of demonstrations far more Palestinians have been injured in the Gaza Strip than in the preceding three years combined”.
“This staggering rise has had a catastrophic impact on the already-struggling Gaza health sector and is worsened by violence against health staff providing first aid in the field and the difficulties facing some patients in accessing urgently-needed care outside of Gaza” he added.
Since 30 March 2018 Israeli forces have killed 41 Palestinians in Gaza in attacks on the Great March of Return protesters.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health 5511 Palestinians have been wounded during the Gaza demonstrations 1499 of whom were hospitalized in governmental hospitals following injury by live ammunition.
Through this grant the oPt HF will support health and protection actors in Gaza through providing funds for urgently-needed drugs medical disposables and laboratory items for frontline medical care and in-hospital as well as enabling the deployment of specialized emergency medical teams required for complex surgeries among other critical needs said the statement.
The allocation will also enable those who are directly affected by the crisis to receive appropriate mental health and psychosocial support services; support the monitoring verification and documentation of possible protection violations; as well as support injured individuals who have been denied exit by the Israeli authorities to secure permits for urgent medical treatment outside Gaza.
“For every Palestinian killed or injured in recent weeks there is a family that is also affected. The physical and psychological impact of recent events will last for years” said McGoldrick.
“The oPt HF allocation is an important step towards ensuring that Palestinian victims of violence receive the treatment they need in the short-term. However it is critical that other donors step up their contributions as well.”
McGoldrick stressed that humanitarian partners require another $3 million immediately to respond to needs emerging since 30 March on top of the $406 million required in 2018 to meet humanitarian needs in Gaza stemming primarily from the ongoing Israeli blockade.
