Healthcare Support for the People of Gaza

19 March: “It already feels apocalyptic”

In Gaza, the attacks continue, albeit with less intensity. Giorgio Monti, our Medical Coordinator, reports on recent events: “Gaza already felt apocalyptic. It has been almost completely razed to the ground. If this marks the resumption of war, it will be extremely difficult.

The situation was always challenging, but at least there was hope that the continuous bombing had stopped. We don’t know how long the military operations will go on, but the risk is that, after many returned north, there will be new mass displacements to the south. We are eager to get back to work. We are here to help those in need.”

“We heard the sounds of explosions all night. Since the announcement of a ceasefire over these past few months, there is fear once again. As we wait to understand how to guarantee the safety of our staff, we have suspended our movements across Gaza. Our Primary Healthcare Clinic is closed due to the lack of security.”

Giorgio Monti, EMERGENCY’s Medical Coordinator in Gaza, 17 March

EMERGENCY’s activities in Gaza

Primary Healthcare Clinic in al-Qarara

Our team, which has been in Gaza since August 2024, constructed and now runs a clinic in the al-Qarara area.

In the facility, we provide first aid, stabilisation of medical and surgical emergencies, transfer to other hospital facilities, basic medical and surgical assistance for both adults and children, outpatient reproductive health activities, and post-operative nursing follow-up care.

We estimate that the clinic could see up to 300 patients every day.

The medical team, including both international and local personnel, is currently comprised of four doctors, four nurses and one pharmacist.

The clinic has an external waiting room, a triage room, an emergency room with an observation area, a dressing room, four doctors’ offices, a gynaecologist’s office, an immunisation room, a medication dispensary, workspaces for the doctors and logistician, a canteen and a storeroom.

The construction of the clinic has had to contend with long bureaucratic delays and the enormous difficulty of finding materials, due to the insufficient flow of humanitarian aid in recent months. Now, the flow of aid has increased, as well as the availability of basic necessities.”

Francesco Sacchi, EMERGENCY’s Head of Mission in Gaza

Outpatient Clinic in al-Mawasi

Since November 2024, an EMERGENCY team has been providing medical and logistical support to a primary healthcare clinic in the al-Mawasi area (Khan Younis), run by the Culture & Free Thought Association (CFTA) — a local, independent NGO that has been operating in Gaza since 1991 to provide broad assistance to the Palestinian population, including cultural, educational, social and health activities.

Here, patients receive free basic care, medications and the necessary dressings following surgery.

EMERGENCY’s medical team – consisting of two nurses and two doctors – supervise activities in the clinic and coordinate and train the local colleagues employed by CFTA, comprised of seven medical and non-medical personnel.

We also manage the supply of all material necessary to ensure the continuity of the activities.

Since we arrived in the Gaza Strip in August 2024, we have cared for over 7,000 patients. Meanwhile, we have witnessed the humanitarian situation worsening day after day. The population is exhausted after more than fifteen months of conflict, and many are living in overcrowded conditions. We have been seeing cases of gastro-intestinal illnesses, dermatitis and respiratory tract infections, which are related to the living conditions people have endured for months now.”

Giorgio Monti, EMERGENCY’s Medical Coordinator in Gaza

Humanitarian aid access increasingly necessary

Over the past 15 months, humanitarian organisations trying to bring aid into Gaza have faced great limitations in access, difficult security conditions and increasing restrictions on protected humanitarian space.

More than 80% of Gaza has been subject to evacuation orders. Today, around 90% of the population lives in tents and makeshift accommodation.

Data: OCHA

We hope that the ceasefire will allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, because from the beginning we have encountered daily difficulties in bringing in not only basic necessities like food and water, but also medicines and medical devices used to provide the population with necessary and essential healthcare assistance.”

Eleonora Colpo, EMERGENCY’s Nurse in Gaza