Singapore, 22 July 2014 – The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Palestinian Wefaq Association (PWA) have made appeals to local and international donors for urgent assistance to support their ongoing relief efforts in the occupied Palestinian territory, especially in the Gaza Strip, that is affecting the health and welfare of Palestinians.
Mercy Relief (MR) has been monitoring the situation since the armed conflict started on 8 July 2014 and has been in direct communications with its partners the Al Wefaq Association and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). WHO, the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the PWA shared that food and medical supplies are the urgent and priority needs on the ground for the displaced people in Gaza.
As of 21 July, reports state that 506 people (479 Palestinians and 27 Israelis) have been killed and over 3,008 Palestinians injured. Some 3,050 homes have been destroyed and damaged, resulting in the displacement of 135,500 individuals. In response to the crisis, MR has launched a public fundraising appeal, from 18 July to 30 August. Together with ground partners, it will provide support and assistance to the affected civilian communities in their recovery.
During the Gaza Armed Conflict in 2012, MR delivered and distributed S$75,000 worth of medication, water filtration systems, laboratory equipment, food rations and heaters to the conflict-stricken victims. Together with PRCS, MR also completed the equipping of a S$30,000 ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) suite at the Al Quds Hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to areas around the head and neck. This year, MR also procured and donated a fully equipped ambulance to PRCS, as part of the recovery phase of its relief mission.