PRCS increased its readiness to respond to the needs of Palestinians affected by Israeli attacks in various areas in the oPt. Below are the PRCS interventions during the reporting period.
General Situation in the Gaza Strip
• The attack on the Strip has been resumed after the end of the 72 hour cease-fire.
• About half of the population remains without or with very little water supply, while the other half receives water for a few hours every five days.
• There are 221,600 people taking refuge at 90 UNRWA schools, while another 33,800 were hosted at 25 government and private schools and public facilities (including seven schools supported by UNRWA). The immediate health needs of the displaced remain a high priority.
• Nearly 10,800 homes in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged since the start of the Israeli attack.
• Despite the repair of most feeder lines from Israel, only 10 per cent of the electricity received is utilized due to the extensive damage sustained by the internal distribution network; there has been only minor increase in electricity supply to households.
(Source: OCHA)
PRCS’ Interventions:
I- The Gaza Strip • PRCS’ teams provided First Aid services and transfer more than 49 wounded Palestinians to hospitals. The Society also evacuated the bodies of 8 persons from various areas in the Gaza Strip.
• The PRCS Al Quds Hospital and Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis have received many of the casualties and provided the necessary medical attention to them. Around 6052 persons were treated in the PRCS hospitals since the start of the attack on the Strip.
• As for the PRCS psychosocial support, they have provided their support to 9492 beneficiaries since the start of the attack. Total figure includes also PRCS staff and volunteers who are performing their humanitarian duty in the field. The number of beneficiaries is distributed according to age as follows:
- Below 18 years old: 2277 F and 2098 M 2.Above 18 years old: 3076 F and 2041 M
II- The West Bank • PRCS’ teams provided First Aid services and transfer more than 128 wounded Palestinians to hospitals. The Society also evacuated one dead body from Al Bireh.
Risks and attacks on the PRCS medical mission:
• Saturday, 9/8/2014: The PRCS Khan Younis branch sustained some damage when a nearby house was shelled. The water tanks and front door and windows were damaged.
• Friday, 8/8/2014: While evacuating some injured in the northern area of the Strip, a PRCS ambulance’s front window was broken due to the Israeli shelling to the area.
• Friday, 8/8/2014: While evacuating injured in Bethlehem, one ambulance was damaged due to the Israeli targeting. At the same time, a PRCS team was unconscious due to tear gaz that was shot inside the ambulance by the Israeli soldiers.
Humanitarian Aid:
• In response to the PRCS Emergency Appeal launched for the benefit of the affected in the Gaza Strip, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore contributed in $ 200,000.
• A consignment of drugs and medical supplies (10 tons) donated by the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society for the hospitals in the Gaza Strip.
• A consignment of sugar and baby biscuits is donated by the Turkish Red Crescent Society. These items will be included in the food parcels distributed by the PRCS to the displaced.
