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Gaza still struggling amid the ruins

by Gerald Butt Middle East Correspondent
Part of an article first published in the Church Times and reprinted with permission

The Anglican Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City
is appealing for international support, as it seeks to maintain normal services in the aftermath of the Israeli assault on the territory earlier this year. Nine months after the attack, in which some 1500 Palestinians were killed, the Gaza Strip remains under Israeli siege. Against a background of worsening economic and social conditions, doctors are treating psychological as well as physical wounds. The diplomatic fallout from the conflict, meanwhile, could endanger efforts to reunite Palestinian ranks and restart peace talks with Israel. For the inhabitants of Gaza, the machinations of the politicians are less pressing than the need to cope with the results of the widespread destruction caused by the war. Because of the continuing siege, little reconstruction work has been possible, and basic services face significant disruption.

Suhaila Tarazi, director of the Ahli Hospital, says: “We are still suffering because of the siege. We have shortages of medical supplies and medicines because of bureaucratic delays at the crossings from Israel.” Fuel shortages have forced the hospital to minimise the use of generators. As in other institutions in Gaza, Ahli Hospital has postponed building work because of the difficulty of securing materials.”The price of cement is three times higher than it was a year ago,” Ms Tarazi says.

Another recent trend is a large increase in the number of burn injuries that the Ahli Hospital is treating. Children are particularly affected, because families have to “use kerosene stoves for cooking. Sometimes they even have to use blocks of wood.”. Physicians are also dealing with psychological problems. Hassan Zeyada, a psychologist and head of the Gaza Community Health Centre, finds that children were terrified by their experiences. Their symptoms include ‘ sleep disorders, nightmares, and aggression... Many will not sleep alone, and are reluctant to leave their families to go to school.” The atmosphere in Gaza, Dr Zeyada says, is one of “insecurity and helplessness among the people. They are powerless to do anything to end the suffering.”

The bishop, Rt. Revd Suheil Dawani says...

Thanks to the many donations received from the Anglican community, the Ahli Arab Hospital of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem has been able to increase health, medical and social support for the residents of Gaza. Funds donated to the hospital and the diocesan Gaza Medical Emergency Fund are used to run the vital programs provided by the Ahli Arab Hospital to address the hardships faced by patients and their families.

Among other services, the hospital also runs a mobile clinic for first aid and basic medical care, which travels to areas where limited services and transportation make it difficult or impossible for patients to reach the hospital.

Information on the Diocese of Jerusalem