“There are no safe places in Gaza.”

In recent weeks, the EMERGENCY team in Gaza has been conducting site visits for a health clinic that will provide essential first aid and medical care.

Stefano Sozza, Head of Mission, provides an update on the humanitarian situation:

There are no safe places in Gaza. Displaced families live in dilapidated structures, tents or very basic shelters consisting of a few wooden planks and tarps.

What immediately stands out is the overcrowding in these areas, which greatly increases the risks of epidemics. Sanitary conditions are poor or nonexistent.

Food is scarce, as is drinking water. The population has truly been driven to destitution.”

In one of our visits, I remember one little girl in particular. She first asked if we were going to bring food, then water. When we told her that we are a medical organisation, she wondered whether we were going to ask for money to treat the patients inside the camp.

We informed all the people around us that EMERGENCY provides quality care, completely free of charge, and there was great relief because poverty is rampant.

They told us that this little girl falls ill very often.

Here, even people with conditions that could normally be treated with a simple medication are at risk of developing fatal complications.”