PRCS’ President Inspects the Society’s Humanitarian and Health Services in the Gaza Strip

(Al-Bireh-16/8/2014): PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib arrived yesterday in the Gaza Strip to peruse the conditions of displaced populations housed in schools-turned-shelters. He inspected humanitarian and health services and saw for himself the extent of damage in Beit Hanoun, Khaza’a and Rafah.

Al Khatib also visited PRCS’ premises in Gaza City which were deliberately targeted during the Israeli offensive and where many wounded Palestinians are being treated, as well as PRCS’ central warehouses in Gaza City. He was briefed about the quantity and quality of aid and methods applied for the provision thereof. He urged all PRCS’ teams to ensure the swift delivery of aid to victims of the Israeli offensive which started on July 8th.

At PRCS’ headquarters in Gaza, Al Khatib met with PRCS’ Psychosocial Support Program officers who briefed him about the services they provide to affected and displaced populations. He took part in a psychological support session for displaced children at Al Zaytoon school in Tal al Hawa in Gaza City.

Al Khatib also visited UNRWA’s Al Mazra’a school in Deir el Balah which was turned into a shelter for displaced families, as well as Rafah’s “A” School which got bombed while hundreds of displaced families were inside it. Families spoke to him about their needs and their terrible living and health conditions away from home.

At the UAE field hospital run by PRCS in Rafah to replace Al Najjar hospital which was forced to close down, Al Khatib was briefed about deteriorating health conditions in Rafah Governorate. He met the field hospital’s medical team and toured the hospital’s wards.

A PRCS’ delegation chaired by Dr. Al Khatib then visited Beit Hanoun, Khaza’a and Al Karara to inspect the level of destruction caused by Israel’s offensive.

Later that same day, Al Khatib met at PRCS’ headquarters in Gaza City with ICRC’s Head of Office in the Gaza Strip, Mr. Christian Cardon. The meeting discussed enhancing mutual cooperation aimed at providing humanitarian aid to affected families, means to promote joint action and the rapid assessment of needs to assist the local population and to allay its suffering.

Dr. Al Khatib had visited the Gaza Strip on several other occasions since the beginning of the Israeli attack. He had inspected work at PRCS’ hospitals, centers and clinics and listened to the needs of PRCS’ staff and the problems they faced.

End.