Hi everyone,

In May I will attempt to run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and have decided to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians. The vision of MAP is for "an effective, sustainable and locally–led system of healthcare", in which Palestinians have "the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity." Their programmes, "designed and delivered by Palestinians, provide access to essential health services and build local knowledge and skills to address Palestinian health problems." Despite the ongoing blockade of Gaza and Israeli military attacks on Palestinian infrastructure, MAP continues to provide support in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and surrounding Palestinian refugee camps. Below are some examples of ways in which MAP have helped in these areas:

– In the West Bank and Gaza, helping with the treatment of burn victims by building capacity in burn treatment units and by providing specialised training, drugs and equipment.

– In Gaza, working with local groups to “promote an inclusive and accessible society for people with disabilities by activating their full participation in their communities. The project´s activities include job skills training, media and radio training, and drama and psychosocial support for people with disabilities and their families.”

– In Gaza, providing healthy meals, nutritional supplements and medication to malnourished children.

– Providing a midwifery service in Lebanon´s Palestinian refugee camps, leading to a reduction of high risk pregnancies.

– Trying to improve the integration of mental health awareness and services. In Gaza, for example, they provide support to their partner ´Friends for Mental Health´ which "trains social workers, judges, lawyers and community leaders to improve knowledge on mental illness and the rights of mental health service users."

If anyone would like to read more about their work, here is the link to their website: https://www.map.org.uk/.

Thanks for reading and, if you can, please try to donate. Even just a few pounds will help to enable MAP to continue to do useful work.