Health care for victims of violence in Palestinian territories
6 May 2002

Following the massive destruction of homes and infrastructure caused by the recent military actions in the Palestinian Autonomous and Occupied Territories, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an appeal for 1.8 million Swiss francs, to assist victims of violence in the West Bank and Gaza.

"The funds will be used to replace stocks of medicines and medical supplies for the Palestine Red Crescent Society's (PRCS) primary health care and home-based care programmes and to support the rehabilitation of medical institutions and social services," said Evgeni Parfenov, responsible for Middle East programmes at the Federation Secretariat in Geneva.

Over the past month, the crisis has left thousands of people homeless and with no access either to emergency care or to regular, public health care in hospitals or clinics. The health needs of the internally displaced and homeless people in Gaza and the West Bank are high. In Jenin camp alone, an estimated 2,000 people need emergency medical assistance.

The funds appealed for will also serve to establish an emergency Palestine Red Crescent field hospital, ready to be deployed in case of further emergencies, as well as to develop emergency units in six hospitals.

The total assistance provided through the International Federation to the Palestine Red Crescent in 2001 was almost 1,8 million Swiss francs. In the West Bank and Gaza regions the PRCS is operating six hospitals (with a capacity of 320 beds), 25 clinics and 78 ambulances. It employs 2,000 permanent staff and has 22 branches offering rehabilitation, primary health care, secondary health care and social welfare services.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is the lead agency for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the West Bank and Gaza. All relief items are being channeled via ICRC's logistics structure in Amman, Jordan. This appeal is being launched in co-ordination with ICRC.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer - Tel.: + 41 22 730 4346 / + 41 79 217 33 45

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.