ACT Alliance

An initial three truckloads of ACT-supported food, milk and medical supplies have now reached Gazans in desperate need of assistance. Medical supplies have replenished scarce stocks at the Ah Ahli Arab Hospital and high-protein biscuits are being distributed to highly vulnerable children and nursing mothers who have sought refuge in UN schools and shelters. Dr. Suhaila Tarazi at the Al Ahli hospital says the deliveries will help a lot of people; especially kids and breast feeding mothers, they have had nothing. The medical supplies will also help numerous injured people with their recovery.

Water crisis
ACT members on the ground also report an increasingly serious water and sanitation situation in Gaza. With the electricity only available for a maximum of four hours per day, the water crisis continues to build up with households either suffering from shortages or using unfiltered water. Some reports indicate that the Israeli army has denied requests, made by non-governmental and UN organizations, to allow the repair of damaged infrastructure or the distribution of diesel fuel to water pumps.

No outdoor movements
In light of the continued restrictions on movement, medical services are still on hold at clinics run by the Middle East Council of Churches’ Department of Service to Palestinians Refugees (DSPR). Both the medical teams and the patients are unable to transport themselves to the clinics. However, medical teams are standing by that upon the declaration of a ceasefire, medical assistance could begin immediately at two clinics. A third DSPR clinic was destroyed by an Israeli air strike earlier in the week.

The initial three trucks of aid included 12,000 cartons of high protein biscuits, 20,300 liters of fortified milk, blankets and quilts, and close to US $68,000 worth of medical supplies.