Palestine

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Article

IFRC Secretary General in new op-ed: ‘Our aid workers were brutally killed and thrown into a mass grave. This must never happen again’

The following op-ed article by IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain was first published by the UK Guardian on 5 April, 2025.Which was most horrific? The agonising week-long wait – silence after our colleagues went missing, as we suspected the worst but hoped for something different? Or the confirmation, seven days later, that bodies had been found? Or, since, the ghastly details of how they were found, and killed?Their ambulances were crushed and partly buried. Nearby were their bodies – also buried, en masse, in the sand. Our dead colleagues were still wearing their Red Crescent vests. In life, those uniforms signalled their status as humanitarian workers; they should have protected them. Instead, in death, those red vests became their shrouds.Ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer and Ezzedine Shaath, and first responder volunteers Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed Al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed Al-Sharif and Rifatt Radwan were good people. Alongside fellow Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance officer Asaad Al-Nasasra – who is still missing – and medical and humanitarian workers from other organisations, they were in emergency vehicles, rushing in to do what they do.Post-ceasefire Gaza is dangerous, of course. But these men were not cavalier. They believed their Red Crescent-marked vehicles would make it clear who was inside and their purpose. They believed international humanitarian law meant something; that healthcare workers would be protected. They assumed that meant they would not be a target. But they were wrong. Tragically, horrifically wrong.So I’m writing with a plea. Make that assumption right again. Those deaths in Gaza – while especially awful – were part of a growing trend. More and more humanitarian aid workers are being killed around the world. The trend must be reversed.As the secretary general of a worldwide humanitarian federation, a network of 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies with more than 16 million staff and volunteers, I’m well used to trauma. Helping people prepare for crisis and then dealing with it when it hits is what our people do. Right now, thousands of colleagues from the Myanmar Red Cross are helping people with their immediate post-earthquake needs. In Russia and Ukraine our members are helping people affected on both sides of the conflict.Our teams can help people deal with trauma. But they should not be subjected to it because of what they do. International humanitarian law requires that. Health and humanitarian aid workers must be protected. They wear emblems for a reason. Yet according to the Aid Worker Security Database, they are being killed in growing numbers. In 2023, that number was 280.Our network lost 18 that year on duty – including six from our national society in Israel, Magen David Adom, on that awful day in October. Last year, a record 382 humanitarians are known to have been killed. Of those, 32 were members of our Red Cross or Red Crescent societies, including 18 from the Palestine Red Crescent Society. A further eight were killed while working in Sudan. This year is looking even worse.We cannot allow these deaths – any of these attacks – to become normalised. We must reject any narrative that they are inevitable, or part of the risk of the job. I’m grateful for the political, media and online outrage over the deaths of our workers last month. I share it. But we must all go further.First, we must see the same when any humanitarian is killed, wherever and whenever. Too often when a worker is local to the community they serve, there is far less attention than when an “international” worker dies.Second, we must demand that governments change their behaviour and that of those who answer to them. Whatever the circumstances, states have a legal responsibility to protect all civilians, including humanitarian workers. There must be tangible consequences for those who commit the atrocity of killing – through malice or recklessness – humanitarians trying to help.Third, other governments have a duty to put diplomatic and political pressure on their peers.This week, leaders of the Palestine Red Crescent Society have travelled from the West Bank to New York to brief the UN security council and demand more protection for humanitarian workers. In Geneva, I have made “protect humanity” central to my engagement with governments, publicly and privately.But at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) we tread a fine line. Neutrality and impartiality are at our core – constitutional, fundamental principles of our organisation. Straying from them could impede our work. Our job is to manage consequences, not point fingers at causes. Even in circumstances as horrific as those of last month, or 18 months ago in Israel, neither I nor my organisation assign blame towards people, groups, institutions or governments. You’ll notice I don’t in this article, even as others on this website and elsewhere do exactly that.Why? Because we believe in sticking to our principles just as we demand others stick to laws, especially international humanitarian law. We hope our commitments to neutrality and impartiality mean our voice carries even more weight when we demand justice.And demand justice we do. In Gaza, independent investigators must be allowed access and given full details of what happened two Sundays ago, however uncomfortable for those who have them. There must be respect for those who died through consequences for those who killed them. Impunity in any place breeds impunity in every place. That can never stand.Last week the IFRC’s president and I sent letters of condolence to the families of three of our network’s members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Syria. We mourned their loss and, through an EU-supported Red Family Fund that we wish we didn’t need, offered token financial contributions. Similar letters will be sent soon to grieving families in Gaza.But letters of condolence, of course, are far too little, far too late. What will make a difference is if the tide of disrespect for international humanitarian law is turned.I am outraged. But I’m also tired of being outraged. Humanitarian aid workers must be protected. For the sake, quite simply, of humanity.

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Article

IFRC president Kate Forbes in Rafah: ‘The struggle is no longer just about survival—it is about holding on to humanity’

By Kate Forbes, President of IFRCThe road to Rafah stretches through history, through heartbreak, and through the resilience of those who live at its edges. This was my second visit to Rafah—a key border-crossing point between Egypt and Gaza—since I became President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).My first visit was in February last year, when the crisis had already reached unbearable levels. I had hoped to find a different situation upon my return. But when we arrived, the reality was painfully familiar.During my first visit, the first thing I noticed was the line of trucks—packed with supplies that the people of Gaza desperately needed but could only receive in painstaking trickles.This time, a year later, there were fewer trucks backed up at the border as, during the first days of the ceasefire, the Egyptian Red Crescent had managed to get more aid into Gaza.The aid was still far too little to meet the enormous needs but it allowed the Palestine Red Crescent to deliver critical supplies and services. Sadly, on 2 March, the border crossing was once again closed to aid deliveries.Quiet determination, eroding hopeThe second thing I have witnessed at the Rafah border crossing is the quiet determination of the Egyptian Red Crescent staff and volunteers, working tirelessly to sort, coordinate, and push as much aid forward as possible.Their work is invisible to many, but without them, the humanitarian pipeline would collapse. They are the silent hands trying to stitch together the pieces of broken lives.Twelve months ago, the humanitarian situation in Gaza was already dire. It was a place of limited movement, of blockades, of recurring violence that flared and receded, leaving deeper scars each time. But there was still a semblance of hope—a belief that things could change.That belief has eroded. Today, the people in Gaza are trapped—not only by physical borders but by political and geopolitical constraints. The recent escalation of the conflict has not only reshaped the landscape of destruction but has fundamentally altered lives across the region.In South Lebanon, tension has escalated, turning daily life into a precarious existence where the next escalation could come at any moment.In Egypt, the border town of Rafah has become an unwilling witness to one of the most protracted humanitarian blockades of our time. Moreover, Egypt has become a safe harbor for those fleeing conflict, violence, and other humanitarian crises. Today, it is home to hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee their homes in search of safety and dignity—Palestinians from Gaza, Sudanese escaping a devastating armed conflict, and Syrians displaced by over a decade of conflict.For the people of Gaza, the struggle is no longer just about survival—it is about holding on to their humanity in a world that often seems to have forgotten them.What has changed in 12 months? The scale of suffering has grown. Hopes for peace have faded even further. Humanitarian access has become even more difficult.Serving humanity against all oddsWhat has not changed is the resilience of our Red Cross and Red Crescent teams.In the face of these multiple, overlapping humanitarian crises, our volunteers and staff continue, against all odds, to serve and to stand at the gates of crisis, refusing to turn their backs on those in need. They continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage, professionalism, and humanity.In South Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross staff continues to respond to the mounting needs of communities affected by rising tensions, providing emergency medical services, and support to those displaced.In the Occupied Palestinian Territorties (OPT), our Palestine Red Crescent teams continue to work under unimaginable conditions, providing life-saving care and support to communities shattered by violence and loss.On the other side of the border, the Egyptian Red Crescent plays a vital role in sustaining the humanitarian response. The National Society's dedicated teams coordinate the flow of aid, support displaced people, and ensure that hope continues to cross into Gaza even when the borders are closed.But our National Societies have not stood alone. The IFRC network has always been by their side. Since the outset of the escalation of hostilities, the IFRC has provided emergency funding and medical supplies, deployed technical expertise, coordinated logistics and ensured that humanitarian diplomacy amplifies the needs of those in vulnerable situations.Today, we face a challenge not only of responding to immediate needs, but of sustaining our support over time while ensuring safety of our teams in Gaza. Humanitarian fatigue is real. Resources are stretched. The crises are multiplying. Yet the needs are growing by the day.As I return from these travels, I keep thinking of the words of an Egyptian Red Crescent staff member:“We don’t have an exit strategy. We are from these communities, and we stand with the people of our communities for as long as they need us.”This is the essence and spirit of our National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies—something I witness in all my visits, something that makes our IFRC network so unique and so deeply human.

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Press release

IFRC condemns the killing of eight Palestine Red Crescent medics in Gaza

Geneva, 30 March 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is outraged at the deaths of eight medics from Palestine Red Crescent Society, killed on duty in Gaza.An emergency medical team of nine disappeared along with their ambulances when they came under heavy fire in Al-Hashashin on 23 March. After seven days of silence and having access denied to the area of Rafah where they were last seen, the bodies of ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer and Ezzedine Shaath and first responder volunteers Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed Al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed Al Sharif and Rifatt Radwan were retrieved today (30 March). Ambulance officer Assad Al-Nassasra is still missing.IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain said: “I am heartbroken. These dedicated ambulance workers were responding to wounded people. They were humanitarians. They wore emblems that should have protected them; their ambulances were clearly marked. They should have returned to their families; they did not.”“Even in the most complex conflict zones, there are rules. These rules of International Humanitarian Law could not be clearer – civilians must be protected; humanitarians must be protected. Health services must be protected.“Our network is in mourning, but this is not enough. Instead of another call on all parties to protect and respect humanitarians and civilians, I pose a question: ‘When will this stop? All parties must stop the killing, and all humanitarians must be protected.’”This devastating incident represents the single most deadly attack on Red Cross Red Crescent workers anywhere in the world since 2017.Chapagain added: “The number of Palestine Red Crescent volunteers and staff killed since the start of this conflict is now 30. We stand with Palestine Red Crescent and the loved ones of those killed on this darkest of days.”For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 

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Article

Statement: The IFRC calls for access and information on the fate of nine missing Palestine Red Crescent medics

Geneva, 29 March 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is standing with the Palestine Red Crescent and calling for urgent access and information following seven days of silence on the fate of nine medics in Gaza.The IFRC is gravely concerned for the ambulance crews of the Palestine Red Crescentwho came under heavy gunfire while responding in the early hours of 23 March in the Al-Hashashin area of Rafah. Since then, there has been no communication with the teams.International Humanitarian Law is clear that humanitarian and healthcare workers must be protected and respected.It is vital that there is information and access to ensure the safe return of these humanitarians to their families who are living in a nightmare without knowing if their loved ones are alive.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 

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Press release

Statement: Medical services overwhelmed as airstrikes hit Gaza

Geneva, 18 March 2025: Paramedics and emergency medical teams from Palestine Red Crescent have been responding in Gaza after airstrikes overnight.Medical facilities across the Gaza Strip are overwhelmed - the recent bombardments are compounding a desperate situation.As of 7am today in Gaza, Palestine Red Crescent teams have responded to 149 fatalities and 179 injuries. Women and children were among the casualties. Areas around Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Younis have been the hardest hit.The last 16 months have already left Gaza’s health service severely damaged. No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza for 17 days - this includes medical supplies, medicines and fuel. Without these vital supplies, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Palestine Red Crescent to provide life-saving treatment and run its ambulance service. Of its fleet of 53 ambulances, only 23 are now operating because there is not enough gasoline.There have also been no food, water, blankets, clothing, tents and other critical aid supplies entering Gaza since the border crossings closed on 2 March. Hostilities must end - with renewed violence comes greater danger and suffering, making survival even more difficult for the people of Gaza.The IFRC takes no side other than the side of humanity. We reiterate our calls for:Protection of civilians, humanitarians, and healthcare workers and facilities. The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems must be respected and protected, and all parties must ensure the safety of those providing humanitarian aid.Safe and unhindered access for aid and essential services everywhere in the Gaza Strip.The opening of all available border crossings to ensure a continuous and expanded flow of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and food, and fuel into Gaza.The immediate and unconditional release all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67

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Press release

Statement: Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens as aid dwindles and power cuts bite

Geneva, 11 March 2025: The situation in Gaza has been dire for 16 months with chronic shortages of electricity and water. The latest interruption to power supplies relied upon by a major desalination plant, serving central and south Gaza, exacerbates an already difficult environment for civilians. The ceasefire had allowed more critical items like food, water, fuel, blankets, mattresses, and medicines to enter Gaza. However, the needs are so great that much of the fresh stock has already been distributed. As we enter the second week of border crossing closures to aid, lifesaving supplies are dwindling. Continuation of medical supplies and medicines is of critical concern. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is operating mobile health clinics, ambulance services, a field hospital and supporting the running of hospitals within Gaza. PRCS, like many other organizations, is now having to ration the small amount of aid that there is remaining. This puts our volunteers and staff in an impossible position, where they are forced to make critical decisions under even greater pressure.The IFRC takes no side other than the side of humanity. We reiterate our calls on all parties to: Protect civilians, humanitarians, and healthcare workers and facilities. The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems must be respected and protected, and all parties must ensure the safety of those providing humanitarian aid.Ensure safe and unhindered access for aid and essential services everywhere in the Gaza Strip. Open all available border crossings to ensure a continuous and expanded flow of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and food, and fuel into Gaza.Immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68In London:Nichola Jones: +44 771 545 99 56In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67

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Press release

Statement: Without access to aid into Gaza Strip, people’s lives are on a knife-edge once again

Beirut, Geneva, 2 March 2025 - The closure of all border crossings for the transportation of aid into Gaza Strip represents a severe risk to the millions of people who have been struggling to survive for 16 months.It is vital that a ceasefire is maintained. The people of Gaza need safety, shelter, healthcare, food and psychological support while a sustainable solution for long-lasting peace is found.Palestine Red Crescent volunteers and staff have been tirelessly responding, providing emergency medical services, emergency supplies, shelter, and psychological support - despite facing immense challenges themselves. The IFRC network has been bringing desperately needed supplies into Gaza from Egypt, Jordan and the West Bank since the advent of the ceasefire. TheJordanian Red Crescent and Egyptian Red Crecent have been working alongside Palestine Red Crescent to ensure this vital aid reached ravaged communities. Without access to aid, people’s lives are on a knife-edge once again.The IFRC reiterates its calls to the partiesfor:Safe and unhindered access for aid into, and to all parts of, the Gaza Strip The protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, healthcare workers and their facilities, and the respect of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems. The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut: Mey Al Sayegh, +961 322 9352In London: Nichola Jones. +44 7715459956In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367

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Article

Statement: Gaza ceasefire must be accompanied by access and acceleration of aid delivery, as life-saving window opens

Geneva, 16 January - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza and stands ready to scale up operations.The ceasefire agreement for Gaza will provide some desperately needed respite for the millions of people who have been suffering during the relentless conflict of the last 15 months, including the hostages and their families who have been anxiously waiting to have them back home.It is now crucial that aid is allowed to enter Gaza at scale and that our Palestine Red Crescent teams are able to move freely and reach all areas, including North Gaza. The IFRC and its network teams have warehouses of supplies in Dubai, Jordan and Egypt - we stand ready to expand our support to Palestinian communities immediately.The people of Gaza have seen their homes, schools, health services, power supplies and transport infrastructure destroyed. Recent harsh weather has caused even more mayhem for families living in makeshift camps as temperatures dropped and rain inundated damaged tents. People have been left without even the most basic necessities, like blankets and food. Only a trickle of aid is currently entering Gaza due to border closures and other restrictions. The critical Rafah border with Egypt has been closed since May 2024, leaving trucks stranded. This is having a significant impact on the situation for people in Gaza and is severely hampering the work of the humanitarian sector.The IFRC reiterates its calls for:Safe and unhindered access for aid into, and to all parts of, the Gaza Strip – including the north. The protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, healthcare workers and their facilities. The unconditional release of all hostages. The IFRC hopes the ceasefire represents the start of significantly increased support for people and paves the way for lasting peace.For more information or to arrange an interview:In Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh, +9613229352In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109In London:Nichola Jones, +44 7715459956

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Article

Palestine Red Crescent: Supporting Gaza through winter cold, sudden floods and a crisis of mental health

“We received more than 22,000 aid trucks before the closure of Rafah crossing in May 2024. Since the closure, the Palestine Red Crescent Society only received 58 aid trucks, which is absolutely nothing.”This is how Nebal Farsakh, Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS)’s spokesperson, summed up the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is now aggravated by harsh winter conditions.Overwhelmed by cold temperatures, heavy rain and flooding, hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are further at risk of diseases and death. Many are living in tents, open spaces or even on the streets, with almost no protection.“Many families in displaced camps don’t have the clothing and equipment needed to protect them from the harsh weather,”Farsakh continued. “Moreover, recent reports say only 20 per cent of shelter needs are being addressed, leaving more than one million people without adequate places to stay.”Displaced people lacking proper winterization for their shelters face serious threats. Severe weather can damage their shelters, and flooding can contaminate water sources, increasing the spread of diseases.Severe winter conditions, compounded with insufficient aid, have severely hampered the ability of PRCS teams to provide essential support. Yet, the challenges don’t end there.Fuel shortages have crippled ambulance services, forcing evacuations to be often conducted on foot in treacherous weather conditions. This places a severe burden on not only PRCS crews but also on the elderly and people with disabilities who must endure long journeys.The impact of displacement, physical hardship, and the constant fear for their safety and well-being has had devastating consequences on the mental health of everyone in Gaza, especially children.“There is ongoing concern for the mental health of everybody in Gaza, and particularly for children who are so deeply traumatized,” Farsakh emphasized. “There are at least 17,000 unaccompanied children or separated from their parents. Most children are not able to go to school; they live under constant bombing and don’t have access to food.”PRCS mental health and psychosocial support teams are working tirelessly to provide a sense of relief. In shelters across South and central Gaza, they’ve organized events featuring performances, games, and other activities to bring moments of joy to children. But the scale of the crisis is overwhelming.A staggering 1.2 million children in Gaza face a heightened risk of long-term mental health consequences if they do not receive the urgent and critical support they require. The psychological impact of this conflict will likely be profound and lifelong for these children unless they are adequately protected and supported.Without a dramatic improvement in humanitarian access and the flow of supplies, people in Gaza will continue to endure significant physical and mental suffering.Meanwhile, food aid and supplies mobilized by the IFRC network are sitting on the tarmac and in warehousesas the challenges in getting the supplies into Gaza continue.“The aid we have received since the closure of the Rafah crossing is negligible, and this is significantly impacting our relief services. We are unable to do our work. People in Gaza are dying of hunger, cold and diseases because they’re not getting the aid they need.”“This cannot go on.”concluded Farsakh.

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Press release

IFRC appalled by the killing of Palestine Red Crescent volunteer Alaa Al-Derawi

Geneva, 4 December 2024: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the killing of a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedic in Gaza today.Alaa Al-Derawi, a member of PRCS’s emergency medical team, was fatally shot in the Khan Younis area of Gaza, shortly after transporting patients for treatment. He was returning to base when the incident occurred.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to Alaa Al-Derawi’s loved ones, his team and all our PRCS colleagues working tirelessly across Gaza in extremely dangerous conditions.Under International Humanitarian Law, hospitals, ambulances, healthcare workers, and their patients must be respected and protected in every situation.   Any attack on healthcare workers, ambulances, and medical facilities is unacceptable. This latest tragedy has taken place on the eve of International Volunteer Day – a moment to come together globally to call for the protection of all volunteers and commemorate those who have been killed while working to support their communities.Alaa Al-Derawi’s death brings the total number of IFRC network members killed worldwide this year to 32.We strongly reiterate our call for unwavering respect for the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems and the crucial humanitarian services they represent.  For more information: [email protected]   In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland +41 76 236 9109 In Beirut: Mey Al Sayegh, +961 7617 4468 Nichola Jones, +44 77 154 59956

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Press release

‘Protect Humanity’ event commemorates humanitarians killed this year

Geneva, 5 December - As the world’s largest humanitarian network, the IFRC’s message is clear: violence against humanitarian workers must stop. Even one life lost is far too many. Yet since the beginning of the year, 32 of our volunteers and staff have died or been killed while performing their humanitarian duties – 29 in violent attacks and 3 in accidents. This is among the highest levels of global violence against IFRC network teams that we have ever experienced.The protection of civilians, humanitarians, healthcare workers and facilities is not just a legal and moral obligation, but a pressing concern that demands immediate attention.Seven Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies have experienced death and loss in 2024: Palestine Red Crescent Society (18 people), Sudanese Red Crescent (eight people), Iranian Red Crescent (two people), Algerian Red Crescent (one person), Ethiopian Red Cross Society (one person), Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of Congo (one person) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (one person).In the lead-up to International Volunteer Day on 5 December, 26 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world – including, among others, Palestine, Syria, Venezuela, Italy, America, Greece, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovenia and Pakistan - are gathering in their cities to pay tribute to the colleagues we have lost this year. Sami Moussa Abu Mustafa, ambulancevolunteer with the Palestine Red Crescent, provided a testimony, along with volunteers from other affected National Societies:“I feel deep sorrow over the losses we have witnessed this year, including the loss of colleagues. Everyone standing in solidarity with us strengthens our resilience, supports our efforts, and ensures the continuity of theservices we provide to communities. What motivates us to persevere is our sense of humanitarian duty, our desire to alleviate the suffering of others, and our commitment to saving lives despite the sacrifices involved.”At a special event held at IFRC Geneva headquarters on 4 December, IFRC staff and volunteers congregatedto highlight the importance of ‘Protecting Humanity’. IFRCUnder Secretary General for Global Relations and Humanitarian Diplomacy,Nena Stoiljkovic, anda Geneva Red Cross volunteer spoke, and the names of the colleagues we have lost this year were read out, with candles, the Red Cross Red Crescent emblems, and pictures of those colleagues as a backdrop, providing a powerful and moving visual.AV materials are also available here from the different National Societies taking part globally (regularly updated as events happen).For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 91 09

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Article

International Volunteer Day: ‘We will continue our humanitarian mission until the very end’

Walking into the room where emergency medical teams keep their belongings while on duty, Palestine Red Crescent paramedic Jihad Mansour says there isn’t a day that goes by when he doesn’t think of colleagues who have fallen in the line of their duty.“Every time I open thelocker, memories of my dear friend and colleague Fadi Al-Maani come back to me,” he says, referring to a fellow paramedic who was killed while trying to save lives in the Gaza Strip during the last year.In 2024, International Volunteers Day [5 December] comes at the end of a year that has proven to be one of the worst in terms of the safety of humanitarian workers. On this day, we honor the contributions and sacrifices of volunteers around the world while also working to ensure all volunteers are protected from harm.This year so far, at least30 Red Crescent and Red Cross volunteers have died in the line of duty. Like the majority of volunteers from other organizations who were killed, most were local first responders, people like Fadi Al-Maani. Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things for others.“If you're a first responder, you're an extraordinary human being facing different and often terrifying situations, working tirelessly day and night,” says Jihad, adding that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has tested him even more than prior conflicts.“I've lived through the wars in the Gaza Strip in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021. However, this war, which began in October 2023 is the longest, most intense and most violent. It has led to the highest number of casualties and injuries.”Memories of lost colleagues and of harrowing, painful experiences are also never far from the mind of fellow Palestine Red Crescent paramedic Kamal Ahmad. “The most painful aspect of this war is the loss of those dearest to you — your friend, your brother, your colleague,” he says.But this is not the only emotional challenge that volunteers here face.“The most harrowing experience I had in the war was when we were called out to respond to the bombing in Deir al-Balah camp,” says Ahmad, who ended up transporting in the ambulance no less than 18 people that day. “It was extremely difficult for me because most of those we transported were children and women.”Volunteers also face daysofextreme frustrationwhen trying to help others,as challenges of working in a war zone get in the way.“We have faced challenges such as reaching injured people, hospital closures, insufficient equipment and medical staff,” recounts Jihad. “We have worked tirelessly, day and night without breaks or respite.“The most draining aspect was the blocked roads, which left me stuck in the hospital while my family was displaced living in a tent in Al-Mawasi and I was unable to communicate with them or know anything about them.”Volunteers can also be personally touched by the violence. “Receiving news of a strike near my house was agonizing,” says Ahmad. “I was distraught; I rushed out of the medical center and went home to check on my loved ones and help them evacuate. It was a tragedy in itself. I deeply miss my friends and family.“I lost several cherished individuals. Among them were Fadi Al-Maani, Youssef Abu Muammar, Fouad Abu Khammash, Muhammad Al-Omari, my colleague and close friend with whom I used to work closely, in the same ambulance.”The constant state of emergency, and heightened security, displacement of families means that volunteers are often separated from their friends and families — and their regular routines that bring them joy — just like the people they are working to help.“We used to gather family, friends and colleagues to enjoy each other's company but now those moments are just a memory overshadowed by the violence and brutality of this war,” says Jihad.“We enjoyed a lot of beautiful days and years together and losing them deeply affected us, leaving us emotionally drained. But we will continue our humanitarian mission until the very end.”

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Press release

Gavi, IFRC and UNICEF to collaborate on emergency response in Palestine

Geneva / Amman, 4 October 2024 – Thousands of conflict-afflicted people living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are set to receive essential vaccines, thanks to US$ 20 million of new funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi).The funding, which will be channeled through UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), will complement the efforts of the Palestinian Ministry of Health to restore critical health services. In addition to the delivery of lifesaving routine vaccines to communities most in need, Gavi has also approved a waiver to enable Palestine to access vaccines at no-cost through the global Gavi-funded vaccine stockpiles managed by WHO’s International Coordinating Group (ICG) mechanism, in the event of cholera and meningitis outbreaks."Gavi is committed to helping address the urgent health and humanitarian crisis in Palestine and for the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “We commend the tireless efforts of our partners, who continue to deliver essential health services in the most challenging conditions. Together, we must do everything we can to ensure that children, amid the horror of their daily lives, are given every opportunity to access their basic right to a healthy start in life.”As part of the package of support US$ 2 million, channeled through UNICEF, will support the delivery of vaccines, and the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure such as cold chain equipment used to store vaccines. It will also support the solarization of five health facilities, enhancing their capacity to provide maternal and newborn care, along with a range of other integrated health services. US$ 11.8 million, approved through Gavi’s Fragility, Emergencies and Displaced Populations Policy - will finance the procurement of routine vaccines as well as technical assistance through UNICEF.“In conflict-affected settings such as the State of Palestine and Lebanon, children are among the most vulnerable, and immunization is often their last line of defense. This funding is not just an investment in vaccines—it’s an investment in their lives," said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “In Gaza, since the onset of the conflict, UNICEF has managed to procure and deliver more than 1.55 million doses of different vaccines administered through routine vaccination; and over 1.65 million doses of polio vaccine recently used to respond to the polio outbreak in Gaza. We continue calling for a ceasefire to allow children and women to access essential lifesaving health interventions including vaccination.”The remaining US$ 7.3 million, managed by the IFRC will help the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) reach the most vulnerable: ‘zero-dose’ children – those who have never received a single routine vaccine – as well as children who have missed out on critical routine immunizations in Gaza due to the crisis. Equally, a push will be made to reach Palestinian refugees, living in camps in Lebanon, with critical vaccines. In parallel, nutrition supplements and food parcels will be distributed by IFRC to families with malnourished children or mothers who have limited access to quality meals, an effort that aims to also address broader health challenges."Every child in Gaza, the West Bank, and those residing in refugee camps in Lebanon deserves a chance at a healthy life. In the face of unimaginable hardship, the dedicated volunteers of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Lebanese Red Cross put their well-being and safety on the line to deliver life-saving vaccines. The recent polio campaign, reaching over half a million young lives, demonstrates the immense trust families place in vaccines and the organizations seeking to deliver them,” said IFRC’s Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain. “Our partnership with Gavi offers hope, yet that hope dims with each passing day that our teams can't safely reach those in desperate need because of insecurity and lack of access. Volunteers aren't just delivering vaccines - they're delivering futures and the fundamental right to health. The safety of humanitarians must be guaranteed so they can continue their humanitarian work without fear."IFRC, and its member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, play a crucial role in global immunization efforts. Their volunteers, deeply rooted in local communities, build trust and ensure that children receive essential vaccines. By tailoring their approaches to diverse needs and contexts, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas. Their work combats vaccine misinformation and helps prevent the spread of preventable diseases.Palestine has historically maintained high immunization coverage. In 2022, the coverage rate for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine- a commonly used proxy for overall immunization coverage, was 99.43%, a testament to the resilience of its health system and the commitment of health care workers. However, the ongoing conflict has led to infrastructure damage, severe water and food shortages, and the disruption of essential services in the Gaza Strip, fracturing the routine immunization and health care system and leaving children at high risk of contracting devastating infectious diseases. Gavi is encouraged by the success of the recent polio vaccination campaign in reaching vulnerable children, and as the conflict evolves, all partners, remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure no child is left behind in accessing the lifesaving power of vaccines.MEDIA CONTACTSGaviCirũ Kariũki+41 79 913 94 41, [email protected] Sharafudeen+41 79 711 55 54, [email protected] Ammar00962791837388, [email protected] BeirutMey El Sayegh, +961 03 229 352In GenevaTommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 [email protected]

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Statement: Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory: After a year of suffering, humanity must prevail

"The world remains on edge.Hostages must come home. Bombs must stop falling. Aid must be allowed to get to where it’s needed most.7 October marks one year since the horrific attacks that led to a major escalation of armed hostilities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The urgent need for peace and stability has never been clearer. However, political and diplomatic efforts have yet to achieve this.Humanitarian assistance cannot replace political will.Twelve months later, the situation is still dire and its impact is spreading. Millions of people are desperate for humanitarian assistance. In the last two weeks, we’ve seen an alarming escalation of hostilities in Lebanon too.Everywhere, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have responded immediately, mobilising ambulances and volunteers to provide medical care, assist the injured, and deliver essential humanitarian aid to the people affected.Despite the exceptionally dangerous conditions and continuous barriers to access, our teams have remained resolute in their commitment to helping people in need.Tragically, many have paid the ultimate price in their service to humanity: 27 staff and volunteers have been killed on duty during this crisis, six from Magen David Adom in Israel and 21 from the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza and the West Bank.Today, we honour their memory and express our solidarity with all victims of the conflict.We mourn these tragic losses, and we remain deeply concerned that this conflict continues to escalate, causing more humanitarian suffering throughout the region.Humanitarians and civilians must be respected and protected.Hostages must come home.Bombs must stop falling.Humanity must prevail."The above statement can be attributed to the IFRC President, Kate Forbes, and the IFRC Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain.Our calls:The IFRC takes no side other than the side of humanity. We reiterate our calls on all parties to:Protect civilians, humanitarians, and healthcare workers and facilities.The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems must be respected and protected, and all parties must ensure the safety of those providing humanitarian aid.Ensure safe and unhindered access for aid and essential services,everywhere in the Gaza Strip.Open all available border crossings to ensure a continuous and expanded flow of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and food, and fuel into Gaza, especially through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.Immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Beirut:Mey El Sayegh, +961 03 229 352In Budapest:Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Andrew Thomas, +41 76 367 6587

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The IFRC is saddened by the killing of another two members of Palestine Red Crescent Society

With deep sorrow, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirms the death of two Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedics.Haitham Tubasi and Suhail Hassouna were both working on duty in a clearly marked PRCS ambulance when it was hit on 29 May. Both were killed at the scene in the Tal Al-Sultan area, west of Rafah.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues at the Palestine Red Crescent Society.Since the beginning of the conflict, the IFRC network has lost 24 members while on duty. 20 staff and volunteers of the Palestine Red Crescent Society have been killed and 4 from Magen David Adom in Israel.We are devastated at these losses. Protecting humanitarian workers is a legal and moral obligation.The level of human suffering in Rafah and overall in the Gaza Strip is unconscionable.More than one million people, including PRCS volunteers and staff, have fled multiple times in search of safety with no access to basic services.We call on all parties to take measures to protect humanitarian workers and end the human suffering.Visit our In memoriam page to homage their service and their sacrifice.

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Podcast

Mohammed Alburai: Born in a refugee camp in Gaza, he became a double refugee when he sought safety for his family in Slovenia. Now he helps other refugees for the Slovenian Red Cross.

Born in the Deir El-Balah refugee camp in Gaza, Mohammed Alburai worked as a volunteer ambulance driver for the Palestine Red Crescent before leaving for Slovenia in 2019. Now a cultural mediator and translator for the Slovenian Red Cross, Mohammed helps migrants and refugees cope with their new life in Slovenia. He helps migrants connect with lost family members, organizes sports and social events, and talks with them about their needs and concerns. “That’s the best part in my job,” he says. “I meet people from different cultures every day — from Cuba, Bangladesh, Mongolia, all over Africa and the Middle East. They know I feel what they are going through and they trust me.” Mohammed also talks about his friends and former colleagues at the Palestinian Red Crescent who have died in the line of duty and he pays tribute to all Red Cross and Red Crescent staff who have been killed while working to save others.

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Statement: IFRC appalled by the killing of another Palestine Red Crescent colleague

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appalled by the killing of another member of the network. Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) volunteer paramedic Mohammed Awad Allah Musa was killed on Saturday, 20 April, while providing medical assistance to those wounded in the town of Al-Sawiya, Nablus district.Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mohammed Awad Allah Musa’s family, friends, loved ones, and colleagues at the PRCS on this horrific day. Since the beginning of the conflict, the Red Cross and Red Crescent network has lost 22 members. Eighteen staff members and volunteers of the PRCS have been killed in Gaza and now the West Bank and 4 from Magen David Adom in Israel (MDA).We repeat our call: humanitarian and healthcare workers must be respected and protected. It is a moral and legal obligation.

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Gaza: A family of volunteers, helping others while they themselves cope with the hard realities of conflict

“I wake up early at seven in the morning to attend to the family's needs, then head to the nearby market, which is one kilometer away. I search for something to feed my hungry children.”This is how a typical day starts for Youssef Khoder, a Palestine Red Crescent volunteer from northern Gaza. Youssef comes from a family of volunteers. His mother is an obstetrics nurse, his brother Mahmoud and Ibrahim are also both nurses.“We have been working at the PRCS medical point in Jabalia since its establishment,” he says. “We were displaced and had to move to a shelter center, but now the situation has changed, and we have returned to our homes.”After getting food at the market, Youssef and his wife start a fire to prepare food for their young children. The eldest daughter, Ayloul, is 6 years old. Mohammed is 4, and Ghaith is 2. Then Youssef is off to meet his brothers at the medical point in Jabalia.“We walk 2 kilometers back and forth every day to reach the medical point where we volunteer,” he says. “We carry out our work because it is our humanitarian duty, continuing to serve our people in northern Gaza.”A vital point for community health amid conflictThe medical point consists of a large tent, inside which there are about a dozen rolling hospital gurneys or beds. The medical post in Jabalia, in the Northern Gaza Strip, has remained operational and provided medical and health services to thousands of affected people even when key hospitals went out of service; it continues to provide services despite the shortage of medicine.While his brothers attend to patients, Youssef takes photos as part of his responsibilities documenting the work of his Palestine Red Crescent colleagues. This is important role in documenting the humanitarian needs as well as the reporting to the world what the Red Crescent is doing to try and address those needs.This is not as easy as it may seem. With power outages and damaged communications infrastructure, the simple act of sending the photographs to headquarters is not so simple."After the afternoon prayer, I walk one kilometer to a high-altitude location so I can catch a signal and gain internet access. I spend half an hour sending files to the administration before returning to the medical point. We spend an hour with colleagues before heading back, sometimes stopping by the market to get some food for suhoor and for the next day. However, food is scarce and the prices are very high."During Ramadan, all this was done while fasting from sun up to sun down. After work, they would return home before breaking their fast (iftar). "My family and I sit together. I break my fast with them, pray the Maghrib prayer, have tea, and then return to the medical point on foot. I work for a few hours before coming home late.Concerning food scarcity, it’s like we have been fasting for 6 months, so it’s not just during Ramadan.We continue to work with even greater determination than before, and we pray that we remain able to serve the people, and that Gaza’s dark days will soon pass.”

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Statement: IFRC mourns the loss of another Palestine Red Crescent staff member

It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the loss of another member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) network. Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) staff member Mohammed Abdul Latif Abu Saeed died on Thursday, 11 April, succumbing to wounds suffered during the 24 March evacuation of Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mohammed Abdul Latif Abu Saeed’s family, friends, loved ones and colleagues at the PRCS on this most difficult of days. Since October, the Red Cross and Red Crescent network has lost 21 members. Seventeen staff members and volunteers of the PRCS have been killed and 4 from Magen David Adom in Israel (MDA).We repeat our call. Humanitarian and healthcare workers must be protected.

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IFRC statement on the closure of Al-Amal Hospital in Gaza

Geneva/Beirut, 26 March 2024Al-Amal Hospital and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) headquarters in Khan Yunis has ceased functioning. For over 40 days, sustained hostilities in and around Al-Amal Hospital, have placed the lives of critical patients, injured civilians, medical staff, and PRCS teams in grave danger, transforming the hospital into a battleground when it should be a sanctuary.All PRCS staff and hundreds of critically injured and displaced people seeking refuge and treatment within its complex were forced to evacuate. These same people, already bearing the scars of displacement, face the daunting task of finding new shelters amidst the uncertainty.With the PRCS being a major provider of healthcare services in the Gaza Strip, the forced closures of both its operational hospitals, Al-Quds and now Al-Amal, have now rendered its critical healthcare services non-functional. The health services in northern Gaza have been largely destroyed, and the southern Gaza Strip’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. The cessation of operations in most northern hospitals, due to acute fuel shortages, absence of medicines, and medical equipment, coupled with the lack of safe access, has been catastrophic. The forced closure of Al-Amal Hospital, one of the few remaining medical facilities in the south, has profound implications, leaving countless lives at risk.Marked clearly with the red crescent emblem, Al-Amal Hospital is protected under International Humanitarian Law. The Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Red Crystal emblems represent neutrality and impartial humanitarian assistance, promising protection in times of conflict and disaster.We call on all parties to adhere to their obligations under International Humanitarian Law, ensuring the protection of civilians, healthcare workers, and facilities. We call for rapid and unimpeded passage for humanitarian aid, and safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers.The IFRC stands in solidarity with the PRCS, advocating for the protection of all medical facilities and personnel. We honor the courage of PRCS volunteers and paramedics, many of whom have faced personal loss or detention, yet remain unwavering in their selfless response to those in need. Since the beginning of the conflict, we have lost 18 members of our network: 15 from PRCS and three from Magen David Adom. Any attack on healthcare workers, ambulances, and medical facilities is unacceptable.In the midst of conflict, access to healthcare is not just a necessity—it is a matter of life and death. The people of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering; healthcare remains one of their last bastions of hope.For more information, contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Alsayegh: +961 3 229 352In Geneva:Mrinalini Santhanam: +41 76 381 50 06Andrew Thomas: +41 76 367 65 87

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Article

Palestine: In the chaos, they lost contact. Now they know he's safe, but the future is uncertain.

The people next door: An ongoing series about people helping others even as they face the very same strugglesLast month we shared the story of Amr Ali, a media officer for the Palestine Red Crescent who like thousands of others in Gaza had to flee their homes due to conflict. In that story, Amr shared his frustrations about wanting to help other people, but not knowing what to tell them.“They asked me ‘what should we do?” he recalled. “Where should we go and how can we protect our children?’ I couldn’t answer them because I have the same questions.”Amr had left northern Gaza with his family, temporarily moving to his brother’s house in Khan Yunis. When that city was evacuated, the Palestine Red Crescent lost touch with Amr. With much of Gaza’s infrastructure destroyed, blackouts made communication nearly impossible.But recently Amr was able to get back in touch and update his colleagues via text messages. Amr had joined thousands of others who moved south to find relative safety in a camp near the border town of Rafah. His journey and life in camp offer a glimpse into the fear, chaos and stuggles facing many thousands of people living in those camps.‘The worst time ever’Knowing they would need to cross a series of check points, Amr and his family left Khan Yunis early in the day on Jan. 27. There was bombing on the way and in the chaos and explosions, Amr was separated from his wife and children: 7-year-old Adam, and 3-year-old Maria.They couldn’t find each other in the crowds. There was no cell phone, wifi, or other signal.“This was the worst time ever,” Amr recalls. “For more than 12 hours I had no idea about my wife and my kids. I tried to ask hospitals if they got injured or killed.”Because the signal is so bad, Amr used friends and relatives in the West Bank as to relay messages. Just after 10 p.m. he got the call. Some relatives had spotted his family, and took them in. Everyone was okay.“It was very, very unsafe, but we managed to get to Rafah,” Amr said.‘Nothing set up here’As a media officer, Amr used to take pictures of Palestine Red Crescent staff and volunteers responding to the conflict unfolding around them: dispatch crews working in the dark because lights had gone out, food distributions and ambulance crews returning to the hospital.Now his photos reflect life in the camp with his son and his daughter, his attempt to keep a smile despite the tragedy and to reclaim some sense of normalcy and hope for his children.“It’s not easy at all to move from a well-equipped house to a very far place in a tent where is nothing set up.”Here, he says they make everything by hand, setting up a bathroom, kitchen, places to sleep and a system to store water. Access to food remains difficult, costs have jumped three and four times since the beginning of the conflict.Meat was $12USD before, now it’s more than $40 — if it’s available at all. Amr says his family cannot afford that, so they eat canned foods.The sound of bombsMeanwhile, Amr’s children are struggling. His son Adam lost his friend after an explosion across the street damaged the house he was staying in. Maria is confused as to why they have to keep moving.Amr says for a short time it was quiet in Rafah.“For a while we rarely heard the sound of bombs and shelling,” he said.But that can change in a moment. In February explosions and gunshots were heard across the city.“Living in a tent in such situations is very terrifying. You feel every bullet is directed to your body. We were terrified and each of us went to check on our children and loved ones. Living all this while in a tent made of fabric makes you feel like the weakest creature on earth.”Mostly, now Amr thinks about the future. “We keep talking about what happened earlier and where will we stay after the conflict ends. I believe that all of us will continue our life in tents and all this will last for a long time, maybe years,” he says.“I do not want my children to continue dreaming about the scene of soldiers, tanks, shooting and the terrifying sound of bombing.”Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers continue to provide medical care in hospitals and medical posts, ambulance services, public health messaging, and psychosocial support to people in Gaza.Teams are also coordinating the reception and distribution of life-saving aid, such as food, water, medicine, and other emergency items. They do this despite worrying for the suffering of their families and living in the difficult conditions themselves.

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Article

'Even in the darkest moments, women are strong and perseverant.’

As the media officer and spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Nebal Farsakh has been the voice of the Palestine Red Crescent during one of its most difficult and darkest times.To television viewers, social media followers and radio listeners around the world, Farsakh’s face, posts and voice have brought the daily — and often deadly — humanitarian challenges facing the people Gaza and her colleagues into stark relief.On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we asked Nebal Farsakh to reflect on the role women are playing in the humanitarian response, as well as her own approach to living as a woman professional during a devestating conflict.“I believe that women are capable of anything, and this is really my approach to life.I am married and have a ten-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. As a family, we do not have stereotypes about women; my husband helps me with household chores and taking care of the children.And of course, I try to convey this to my children as well, meaning that I teach my son how to behave with his sister, and not to ask her to ‘serve him’. I am keen on having equality between them, and I emphasize that women should defend their full rights, whether the right to education or inheritance or other rights.On the professional side, I am breaking gender stereotypes through my work as the media officer and spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Some may think that women are not strong enough, or unable to work long hours or be available outside of working hours, but I have been working tirelessly since the war on Gaza started five months ago, appearing in the media, spreading news, and trying to be a source of support and a listening ear for my colleagues in Gaza.Shattering stereotypesThe war on Gaza confirmed to me that the volunteers and female employees of the Palestine Red Crescent are a perfect example of women who shatter stereotypes. We have female paramedics who are present in the field, providing first aid and medical support, despite the dangers and difficulties.For example, one paramedic continued her life-saving work despite her husband being detained, and despite all the other challenges, such as providing food and drinking water for her children. She was strong and powerful enough to carry out her humanitarian mission.And our colleague Hidaya Hamad, who was killed while she was in her office at the Palestine Red Crescent Society headquarters. Huda, who was the director of volunteers, was present at the Amal Hospital until the very last moment; she was a source of support and strength for the volunteers and her colleagues until her last breath.Hidaya, and the female employees and volunteers of the Palestine Red Crescent are the best example of women being strong, and capable of breaking gender stereotypes. Even in the darkest moments, women are strong and perseverant, not just men.”

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Gaza: His job is to tell their story. Now their pain is his story too.

The people next door: An ongoing series about people helping others even as they face the very same strugglesEvery day, Amr would normally wake up knowing he first must secure food and water for himself and his family. Then, he heads to work.Amr Ali is a media officer at the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Much like every other citizen in Gaza, he also struggles to protect his family and make decisions regarding what to do next, or how to act, in the ongoing armed violence.As part of his job, Amr documents PRCS’s activities, such as the emergency response and the distribution of food, water, and relief items.“I was talking to some people who are currently taking shelter in the PRCS building,” said Amr via WhatsApp messages.“They asked me ‘what should we do? where should we go and how can we protect our children?’ I couldn’t answer them because I have the same questions.”Stories of lossAs part of his work, Amr tries to highlight rights violations and the suffering of people in Gaza; he listens to the staff and displaced people staying at PRCS headquarters – stories of loss, injury, evacuation and displacement.“There are so many tragic stories that have been engraved in my memory, from scenes that I’ve witnessed during my response to injured people in need, the dead and their families; these scenes will never be erased from my memory. I’m struggling with insomnia because I fear that my loved ones may suffer the same fate,” he said.Amr has heard stories from friends, of them forced to walk for hours from Gaza City, in the north, to the south of the Gaza Strip, of how there were explosions along the way, and how they had to turn back the first time they tried to flee.“My friend’s sister was terrified and she unable to move at the time. He had to help her walk while also helping his three young children,” Amr said. The whole family eventually made it.On the moveDue to the conflict, Amr also left the north with his family, and temporarily moved to his brother’s house in Khan Yunis, where 30 other people were also staying.He doesn’t know anything about the current state of his home, and the last update he received was a picture showing that his house was partially damaged. However, it’s not his house he’s most concerned about, it’s the children.“It’s very bad for the children.” he said. “They are afraid and don’t know what is happening or why it’s happening. I try to play with them, and I make loud noises to distract them from what’s happening outside.”“A few days ago, my kid asked me to make him a sandwich, because he was starving. I couldn’t make him anything because we had no flour, no bread, and no biscuits” he said.“I feel like a useless father who cannot do the simplest thing for his son.”Falling off the radarAs the situation worsened, Amr and his family had to travel further south, where they don’t know anyone and have nowhere to stay. The family is currently living in a tent.And like many caught up in the crisis, Amr has fallen out of touch. The destruction of infrastructure and the ensuing communications blackouts has made communication nearly impossible — even for a communications specialist like Amr. Recent attempts to reach out to Amr to check up on him and request some of his photographic work in Gaza were unsuccessful.Amr’s situation is playing out in homes across Gaza Strip, as food and water become scarcer, and infections are on the rise. Ongoing fighting has left families struggling with what to do next.The Palestine Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers are providing medical care in hospitals and medical posts, ambulance services, public health messaging, and psychosocial support to people in Gaza. Teams are also coordinating the reception and distribution of life-saving aid, such as food, water, medicine, and other emergency items. They do this despite worrying for the suffering of their families and living in the difficult conditions themselves.

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IFRC on three Palestine Red Crescent members killed: 'Unacceptable'.

Geneva, 02 February 2024:The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is shocked and deeply saddened by the killing of three members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in the Gaza Strip - one staff member and one volunteer on 31 January 2024 and one staff member on 2 February 2024.In the first incident, two colleagues, Naeem Hasan Al-Jabali and Khalid Kulab, were both near the gate of the PRCS Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis when they were killed. Today, Hedaya Hamad was killed at the PRCS headquarters, which is in the same compound as the Al-Amal hospital.These deaths came after several days of shelling and fighting around the hospital which hindered access to the premises and created panic and distress among patients and thousands of displaced people.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to their friends and colleagues at the Palestine Red Crescent Society.Under International Humanitarian Law, hospitals, ambulances, healthcare workers, and their patients must be respected and protected in every situation.Any attack on healthcare workers, ambulances, and medical facilities is unacceptable.We strongly reiterate our call for unwavering respect for the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems and the crucial humanitarian services they represent.The IFRC stands with the PRCS, urging protection for all medical facilities and workers. We commend the dedication of PRCS volunteers and paramedics, many of whom have lost family members or been affected yet continue to respond.Since the beginning of the conflict, the IFRC network has lost 14 members. Eleven PRCS staff and volunteers have been killed, and three from Israel’s Magen David Adom. This is unacceptable.For more information or to request an interview, contact:[email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 74468In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa +41797084367Mrinalini Santhanam +41 76 381 5006Andrew Thomas +41 76 367 6587

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Statement: IFRC condemns the attacks on Al-Amal Hospital and urges increased respect for the protective Red Crescent emblem

Geneva/Beirut, 5 January 2024 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appalled by the continuous shelling of the Al-Amal Hospital and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) headquarters in Khan Yunis. These strikes have led to the loss of innocent civilian lives, including a five-day old infant, and displaced thousands who were taking shelter at the hospital. One of our colleagues, a volunteer from the PRCS emergency medical services was injured in the strike, which is in addition to the 26 who have been injured since the beginning of the escalation of hostilities and the four colleagues who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. After the north of Gaza health services were largely destroyed, the health care system in the southern part of the Gaza Strip is on the brink of collapse. Most hospitals in the north, including PRCS's Al-Quds hospital, have ceased operations due to fuel shortages, lack of medicines, medical equipment, and safe access. Al-Amal Hospital, one of the few still functioning in the south, is duly marked by the Red Crescent emblem. The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems, symbolize neutral and independent humanitarian assistance at all times, and guarantee protection in times of conflict and disaster around the world. Continuous shelling, coupled with a dire shortage of fuel and supplies, has pushed the health facility to its limits. The continuous bombardments have disrupted PRCS ambulances and paramedics, hindering vital medical aid and basic lifesaving emergency care. Access to medical care is a basic right, and blocking these services is unacceptable. The IFRC stands with the PRCS, urging protection for all medical facilities and workers. We commend the bravery of PRCS volunteers and paramedics, many of whom have lost family members or been detained, yet continue to respond selflessly. We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law. That means the protection of civilians, healthcare workers, and facilities. We call for rapid and unimpeded passage for humanitarian aid, and safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers. In any conflict or crisis, access to health care is a question of life or death. People in Gaza have suffered enough, and healthcare is one of the last remaining beacons of hope. It’s a humanitarian and moral imperative to ensure the people of Gaza can access health care during this period of intense conflict. More information, contact [email protected] In Beirut: Mey Alsayegh: +961 3 229 352 In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Mrinalini Santhanam: +41 76 381 50 06