An ambulance donated to the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.
Credits: Katie Orlinsky/Caritas
“This is not a regular ambulance. It can save more lives because it contains an intensive care unit for patients in a critical condition,” said Jameel Khoury, Caritas Jerusalem Project Manager. The new ambulance has been provided by Caritas to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.
Home to 1.5 million Palestinians, Gaza is one of the most densely populated places on Earth. Border restrictions mean that people are trapped inside with limited access to goods and services.
Israel launched military operations in Gaza at the start of the year. In the months after the bombing, a Caritas mobile medical team travelled around Gaza offering counselling and medical support. Professionals helped people deal with the stress which is common among conflict survivors. Many cases involve trauma in children. If left unaddressed, mental health issues such as depression can develop.
“I have seen cases of eating disorders, insomnia, chronic fear, disorientation and trauma,” said Maha Al Omari, a Caritas counsellor who worked for the mobile medical team.