Healthcare Support for the People of Gaza

In Gaza, health needs are enormous. Living conditions are unsustainable.

The local hospitals that are still operational lack necessary staff and medicines and are often overcrowded. In the absence of other facilities, the sick and injured turn to hospitals for needs that could usually be treated on an outpatient basis.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is critical and the population is suffering. In addition to the lack of health services, there are widespread shortages of water, food and housing.

al-Mawasi Outpatient Clinic

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) — an independent NGO that has been operating in Gaza for about 30 years and whose board of directors is 85-99% women.

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

"The al-Mawasi area itself, once a coastal area characterised by the presence of locals and normal daily life, is now a huge expanse of refugee camps where displaced people are camped in tent cities. Here the population lives in difficult conditions with needs touching all aspects of life. From the medical, to the economic, to the social."
Stefano Sozza, EMERGENCY's Head of Mission in Gaza

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.

“More than 800 patients have already been seen in the first week of operation. 35% of these patients are children. Among the most common pathologies are respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal diseases, chronic diseases and skin diseases. One in ten patients is malnourished.”
Giorgio Monti, EMERGENCY’s Medical Coordinator in Gaza

The Primary Healthcare Clinic

An EMERGENCY team, present in Gaza since August 2024, is working to start construction on a new clinic in the Khan Younis area. Within the facility, we will provide first aid, stabilisation of medical emergencies and transfer to hospitals, basic medical and surgical care for both adults and children, reproductive health activities, and post-operative nursing care.

The start of construction follows the confirmation of deconfliction – the confirmation from Israeli authorities that the area is, and will continue to be, excluded from military activities.

Construction Update, December 2024:

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Difficulties in access for humanitarian organisations

The possibility to bring aid into Gaza must contend with major restrictions on access for humanitarian organisations, difficult security conditions and an ever-shrinking humanitarian space.

In August 2024, the humanitarian area declared by Israel in al-Mawasi shrank from 58.9 square kilometres to about 46km². As of 29 October, it was expanded to 68 km², making up 19% of the territory. About 80% of Gaza remains under evacuation orders.

Data: OCHA