Location: Gaza Strip

Situation:

Present in the Palestinian Territories since 1995, Doctors of the World runs activities in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank. The attack of January 2009 and the reinforced blockade made daily life more and more difficult.

On the day of the cease-fire, the 17th January, Doctors of the World’s French and Spanish volunteers were finally allowed into the Gaza strip to support out local teams already present there and to come in aid of the victims of the Israeli attacks.

In this context of increasing poverty, Doctors of the World UK (DoW) works on providing health care, especially for the most vulnerable population.

Activities:

DoW aims to improve emergency medical treatment by:
• First aid training, particularly schoolchildren of the United National Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) schools;
• A ‘training for trainers’ course for 74 paramedics from UNRWA health centres
• A ‘training for trainers’ programme with the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance staff in Gaza and Ramallah;
• Development of a reference ‘Plan for an influx of sick or injured patients’ with the emergency department of Shifa Hospital;
• Exceptional donations of medicines to Shifa Hospital and of hospital surgical equipment to the Ministry of Health.

Outlook:

To continue the programme and develop primary healthcare activities, supporting the Ministry of Health and local NGOs.

Project start date: 2002

End date: