Caritas continuing its work in the Gaza Strip
June 27 2007 - Gaza Strip – Caritas Jerusalem is continuing its humanitarian
work under a very tense situation taking place in Gaza at the present time.
Today, clashes are taking place in the central Eastern district of
Shejayea and ten Palestinians have been killed with several score injured
in military confrontations with the Israeli army. In response, Caritas is
working to respond to the urgent need for emergency medical care in the affected
region.
“We are planning to conduct a health campaign in Shejayea in response
to the urgent need for health care in that area” said Jameel Khoury, Caritas
Jerusalem Health Department Manager. He also pointed out that in the last
few days the number of people visiting our medical center in the Al Shati’
camp has risen significantly. “We are working as normally as we can under
the circumstances. Thankfully, we have prepared ourselves for this situation
and have positioned medicine and items needed for the work of our medical
clinic and mobile medical care clinic.”
Caritas Jerusalem is also operating six medical points to address emergency
medical needs in marginalized areas. “Thankfully, these medical points are
operating as we have planned them. We have noted though during the recent
problems in Gaza, it was too dangerous for people to reach these places because
of the danger in the street” said Mr. Khoury. However, today, they are operating
as envisioned giving urgent medical care to those in need.
Caritas Jerusalem is also working to respond to the urgent need for food
provision in Gaza. Through the Caritas Jerusalem Social Service Department,
we are currently assessing how best to respond especially focusing on those
who are the neediest and the poorest of the people there. “We will be responding
to these needs to the best of our ability immediately” said Mrs. Claudette
Habesch, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem. Our response will be directed
in coordination with other partners, relief agencies working in the area
and the Parish Priest in Gaza focusing on non-refugee populations who receive
support from UNRWA. She did point out, however, that it is essential that
the poor and vulnerable people should not suffer and go without food and
medicine even under the current circumstances. ”We must keep food, medicine
and supplies moving into Gaza even if doing so is not easy. We cannot allow
the situation in Gaza to worsen more than it already is.”
For more information, please contact us:
Communications Department
Caritas Jerusalem
P O Box 20894
Jerusalem 97200 Israel
Phone: 972 2 628 7574
Fax: 972 2 628 8421
Email: communication@caritasjr.org
Website: www.caritas.org/holyland