March 19, 2024
Haiti: Escalating violence in the country is raising alarm at Doctors of the World
PARIS, France (July 22nd, 2014) – With Israel increasing military operations, urgent humanitarian aid is unable to be deployed in Gaza. Several shipments of medical products – sent by Doctors of the World (MdM) to health centers with zero stock – have been blocked.
Sunday, July the 20th was one of the most deadly days since the launch of Operation Protective Edge – at least 60 Palestinians were killed, including 14 women and 17 children. The majority of the casualties so far have been civilians. The number of wounded quickly grew with the Israeli ground offensive, resulting in a massive increase in the need for emergency medicine and medical supplies.
Humanitarian and medical staff still cannot be deployed. The delivery of staple goods has been brought to a standstill. With the flow of goods blocked at the Kerem Shalom border crossing for the whole of Sunday, MdM’s teams were unable to supply several health centers with medical products.
Doctors of the World calls for an immediate and unconditional opening up of borders so that humanitarian aid can be delivered to Gaza.
Moreover, the Al Aqsa Der el Balah hospital – supported by MdM – was seriously damaged by shelling on Monday and the operations unit was completely destroyed. Four people died and many more were injured.
Doctors of the World calls for an immediate ceasefire and for all parties to respect international humanitarian law which is there to protect civilians from harm. We also condemn the targeting of hospitals which further hinders access to healthcare for the wounded.
For more information, contact:
Françoise Meier
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 917 565 2046
www.doctorsoftheworld.org