An Appeal for our Work in Gaza
Please Help Us!
Our Gaza Clinic Appeal is ongoing. If you would like to contribute, you can print off a donation form, or alternatively, set up a regular direct debit.
We aim to:
- Raise the funds necessary to continue our desperately needed humanitarian efforts in the Gaza clinic.
- Use our partnerships and lobbying power to provide an effective referral system, enabling Gaza patients to get to the Jerusalem hospital.
- Raise public awareness of our charity’s important emergency relief activities in the enclave.
Background
The people of Palestine have a rate of blindness ten times higher than in Western societies, particularly affecting children and the elderly. Although 80% of this blindness is preventable, much of it caused by cataracts and diabetes, the Gazan people – due to the longstanding blockade of the territory – are restricted in being able to access the care that is required to treat these conditions.
The Gaza Strip has been under blockade since the militant group Hamas took control in June 2007. Israel wants to weaken Hamas, end its rocket attacks against Israeli towns and retrieve captured soldier Gilad Shalit. But many aid agencies report that the policy is particularly severe on civilians.
Since the blockade, Gaza’s 1.5m people have been relying on less than a quarter of the imported supplies that they would ordinarily require. In the wake of the Hamas takeover, only basic humanitarian supplies have been allowed into the Strip and there is a list of duel use items such as steel pipes and fertiliser which Israel says could be used to manufacture weapons that are not permitted.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports a list of household items that have been refused entry at various times, including light bulbs, candles, matches, books, musical instruments, crayons, clothing, shoes, mattresses, sheets, blankets, pasta, tea, coffee, chocolate, nuts, shampoo and conditioner. Many other items - ranging from cars to fridges to computers - are generally refused entry.
Crucially for reconstruction in the wake of the January 2009 Israeli military operation, building materials such as cement, concrete and wood are nearly always refused.
After the 2009 conflict, the President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Luay Shabaneh, declared the Gaza Strip a disaster zone. Figures showed that more than 1,315 people had been killed and that approximately 5,400 were wounded and requiring medical attention, rehabilitation and aid.
Exacerbated by the on-going conflict in the area, the existing rate of blindness is already high because of particular patterns of disease and demographics in the enclave. The blockade has resulted in the inability of Gazan residents to meet those from outside and, in turn, there has been a rise in consanguineous, or inter-family, marriages and children born with congenital diseases, including cataracts and eye malformations.
In adults, diabetes is three times more prevalent than in the West. It is a pandemic medical and social scourge. Patients cannot afford the insulin injections used to treat diabetes, and poverty and malnutrition mean that there is a terrible lack of awareness of some of its causes. In the West, sufferers look forward to many years of relative normality, but in the Palestinian territories diabetes poses a real threat. It is vital that this looming catastrophe is addressed.
In spite of the huge difficulties they face, the staff at our Gaza Clinic work hard to save the sight of local people. The number of patients coming to the Clinic – and the resulting operations – is increasing and the Clinic is very crowded. In 2011, we saw and treated 22,358 patients in Gaza.
It is also difficult – not to say impossible – to repair damaged or run-down equipment. As a result, we are currently unable to use our laser, vital in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
Though the situation in Gaza remains a humanitarian emergency, The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group – and our patients in the enclave – are lucky to have so many kind and generous friends. There is much to do and if you would like to help us make a difference, please do give anything you can.
On behalf of all of our patients and staff, the Hospital Group extends its warmest appreciation for all of your interest and support.
