The humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip has reached a tragic scale. Some 46,000 people, including 14,000 children, have lost their lives since 7 October 2023. More than 111,000 people suffered wounds and injuries, and some 1.8 million had to leave their homes. An estimated 92% of residential buildings were damaged or destroyed.  Gaza experiences a shortage of food, water, medicines, medical aid and, above all, safe shelter.

The West Bank, which is located to the east of Israel and bordering Jordan, and its cities – Ramallah, Hebron and Bethlehem – have limited access to resources and infrastructure. The distance to healthcare facilities, limited mobility and difficult economic conditions make living there challenging, especially for people with disabilities, the chronically ill, pregnant women, and mothers with children. The situation is made all the more difficult by continuing tensions and the risk of conflict spreading into these areas.

The humanitarian crisis in Palestine, both in Gaza Strip and the West Bank, requires immediate and coordinated assistance. Lack of access to clean water and sanitation, as well as limited access to medicines, bandages, food and clothing, increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as cholera, respiratory infections and diarrhoea. The situation poses a serious threat to health, which makes the need to support the victims of the conflict more urgent than ever.

Polish Humanitarian Action, in cooperation with CARE Palestine and the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee, organised a food aid project for internally displaced residents of the Gaza Strip. Packages with basic foodstuffs, containing enough products for about a month, were delivered to 1,945 households (approximately 10,920 people) – in particular to families with young children, the elderly, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

With the support of Polish donors and in cooperation with other humanitarian organisations, PAH delivered food aid and provided essential hygiene supplies to entire families affected by this crisis.

In the case of the Gaza Strip, the organisation has focused on providing personal hygiene kits for families living in difficult conditions, particularly in Khan Yunis, where most of the internally displaced people have taken refuge. These included basic cleaning products such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo, hygiene products and laundry detergent. This enabled the populace to maintain a minimum standard of hygiene despite lack of access to water, showers or clothing.

With more than 170 locations in the West Bank lacking regular healthcare facilities, PAH has organised mobile teams consisting of doctors and paramedics who reach remote communities to perform examinations, offer first aid and offer referrals to larger healthcare facilities if necessary. Some of the mobile teams are made up exclusively of women to ensure comfort of the patients.

Anyone can support PAH’s work for the people of Palestine – every donation supports the people affected by the humanitarian crisis. Any donation, however small, makes it possible to provide basic hygiene products, food and medical care. You can make a quick donation on the Polish Humanitarian Action’s website to support relief efforts for victims of the conflict in Palestine.