During his visit to the PRCS Gaza: IFRC Vice-President Calls for Assistance to Affected Families in the Gaza Strip

(Al-Bireh - 27/8/2014): PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib and IFRC’ Vice-President Dr. Francesco Rocca underlined the important humanitarian role played by PRCS and IFRC and called for more efforts to relief and assist affected families. They also urged the international community to provide adequate aid to victims of the Israeli attack and to call on Israel to respect IHL and the Geneva Conventions. Dr. Al Khatib and Dr. Rocca were speaking at a Press Conference held yesterdayin front of PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City.

Furthermore, Dr. Rocca expressed his deep appreciation of the Society’s efforts in the humanitarian and health fields, especially in the areas of EMS, relief and psychosocial support to displaced families in shelters. He affirmed that IFRC shall continue to work with PRCS to provide the best humanitarian services possible.

Dr. Rocca also expressed his solidarity with the affected and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to PRCS who has lost two of its staff in the Gaza Strip. He wished a speedy recovery to all those wounded in the line of duty and called for an end to violence and to the continuous suffering of children.

Dr. Al Khatib and his accompanying delegation visited Shujaiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia and saw for themselves the extent of the damage in these two towns. They also visited the PRCS Khan Younis and Jabaliya where facilities, ambulances and EMS center have also been targeted.

The delegation then met with wounded Palestinians being treated at Al Shifa Public Hospital and PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City and was briefed about medical services provided to patients. A tour was organized at PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital and at the Society’s Central Operations Room therein.

The delegation also visited PRCS’ central warehouses in the Gaza Strip and was briefed about the quality of items stored there and the mechanism applied for the provision of urgent aid to affected populations.

Later on, the delegation visited Al Zaytoon School in Tal al Hawa in Gaza City where a PRCS’ is currently implementing a Psychosocial Support Program with a view to alleviating the suffering of displaced families particularly children.
 

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