Lesa Scholl
20 November 2024
Staff at an Anglican hospital in Gaza are struggling to deliver healthcare to people as Israel’s military strikes on the area continue.
Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, run by the Jerusalem diocese in partnership with Anglican Overseas Aid, has managed to continue medical services, including care for children and women, since the conflict started in October 2023.
Read more: ‘We shout and plead with God … that this terrible suffering might end’
AOA chief executive Jo Knight said the ongoing strife was affecting access to lifesaving supplies and sanitation.
Ms Knight said 94 per cent of healthcare supplies had been destroyed, and 1.2 million children and women needed healthcare and psychosocial care.
She said diseases were rising and that most under five-year-olds were affected and needed access to lifesaving medical services and clean water.
Ms Knight said workers were resilient and determined despite the enormous strain.
“They continue because people continue to come,” she said.
She said the hospital reported seeing 750 people a day and that every available space, including the chapel and library, was used to care for them.
Ms Knight said the staff, including the doctors who had to operate on children without anaesthetic, had forged a character of service and their mission was embedded in their identity.
“Christ’s hands and feet are those hospital workers right now, so close to where Christ was born,” she said.
Read more: Christians urged to push for lasting peace in Gaza
Humanitarian Emergencies Lead at Caritas Australia Sally Thomas said it was extremely difficult for aid organisations on the ground.
“They’ve lost staff members. Staff members have lost family members. 100% of them have been displaced multiple times,” she said.
Ms Thomas said Caritas observed that before the conflict began, 500 aid trucks entered Gaza each day. Now only 28 a day gained access.
Ms Knight urged people to pray for the region. “Pray for peace and justice in these lands. For an end of conflict. For life-saving aid and humanitarian assistance to be received.”
For more information on donating to emergency appeals see here:
Emergency Appeal Ahli Arab Hospital – Anglican Overseas Aid
Donate to Gaza | Support Gaza Emergency Appeal – Caritas Australia
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