David Hawa

One year later, over 43,000 people have been killed and thousands more have been injured or deemed missing, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. A recent study in The Lancet, a peer-reviewed general medical journal, has found the true death toll could reach more than 186,000 people. To add, a ‘total blockade’ has been put in place, cutting off 2 million civilians from access to food, electricity, and fuel.

United Nations officials are warning of an impending famine; about 55% of all infrastructure has been destroyed; and more than 90% of the population has been displaced. 

The attack on the health system has been particularly devastating. Less than half of Gaza’s hospitals are partially functional, facing challenges with the shortage of medical staff and lack of essential medical supplies. Polio, a virus that can cause irreversible paralysis in a matter of hours, has also recently reemerged. High malnutrition rates and stress levels make children more vulnerable to infection, and the Gaza Health Ministry has already confirmed an alarming case of polio in a 10-month-old. 

While issues related to the delivery of humanitarian aid persist, IRUSA partners are continuing to work on the following interventions:

• Distribution of 7 million+ hot meals to displaced families
• Provision of gender-sensitive hygiene kits to people in shelters
• Provision of vital medical supplies to healthcare facilities including Al-Ahli Arab Hospital
• Access to three mobile clinics for 62,475 internally displaced people (IDPs)
• Access to psychosocial support for children and adults including self-care workshops, mind-body skills groups, counseling sessions, and recreational activities  
• Access to adequate winter clothing for 4,250 IDPs