Source: DanChurchAid - Denmark
The clinic was totally destroyed, but no one was injured, since the building had been previously evacuated. "Minutes before the missile hit the building, which hosts the clinic, the Israeli Air Force fired a warning missile next to it, forcing all residents of the building and the adjacent buildings to flee the area. A short while after, the army directly hit the building and razed it completely." The health clinic has been part of women's and childrens health programmes in the area, and DanChurchAid recently started a programme checking more than 10.000 children for mal- and undernourishmanet. "Well have to see how to raise funds for a new clinic, once the war is over." says Malene Sønderskov, Middle East Coordinator for DanChurchAid.
Clinics under pressure
Hundreds are killed and indures daily, as the conflict in Gaza continues. The hospitals in the area are not equipped or staffed to handle the extreme rise in demand for medical attention. The Al Ahli hospital, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, is receiving 40 new patients a day, and this adds to the pressure on operating rooms and personnel. Some hospital staff are now staying in the hospital around the clock, adding to the hospital's obligations.
The destruction of the health clinic in Shaja'ih along with all of it's supplies and material is therefore another tragic blow to the civilians of Gaza.
Aid workers in the line of fireDistribution of aid in Gaza is hindered by the fighting, especially since many aid workers are directly or indirectly in the line of fire. DanChurchAid's Gaza coordinator, Omar Almajdalawi, had to flee his home Saturday night. He was woken by shouts of warning, and ran into the streets with his wife and three kids, who were all in their night clothes. They were only 150 meters down the street, when a massive explosion blew up the adjacent building. All windows were smashed and his apartment rased by the explosion. Omar and his family are now severely traumatised by the events. "It is terrible. It is beyond imagination.
We are without hope. We are all under threat. Regardless if you are activist or not, political or not, child or elderly... Everyone is a target. Everyone is just waiting to see who will be killed next." He says. Omar Almajdalawi managed to continue the distribution of food in Jabalya camp on Sunday, where more than 1500 refugees are receiving aid from DanChurchAid.
By ACT/DanChurchAid Maia Kahlke Lorentzen ( mkl@dca.dk )
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