Palestine is already in the grip of a humanitarian emergency and experiencing aggravated health challenges. The public health system is overstretched by longstanding challenges, such as shortages of drugs, medical disposables, diagnostic materials and laboratory supplies. Gaza has been living since the blockade started in 2007. The blockade, which was described as “illegal” by the UN, has impacted many aspects of life in Gaza. These include but not limited to:

• three quarters of the population in Gaza is food insecure

• Almost half of Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants are unemployed and the unemployment rate in the youth reaches more than 68%

• 92% of the underground water is undrinkable

• 8 hours of electricity vs. 8 hours off cycle for years, while the cuts would reach 16 hours per day at some points.

The Action for humanity team is on the ground responding to the emergency and ensuring that all people have access to assistance. As well as providing emergency aid, food and medical care, they continue their work to build long term sustainable solutions through their livelihoods interventions and shelter programming.

Note: Action for Humanity is one of the few registered humanitarian organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territories without facing sanctions from any internal entity. Action for Humanity has bank accounts and operates without complications. The organisation has a team within Gaza that implements projects directly and coordinates with governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Development.The shipment of medical relief materials have been purchased and delivered to the Ministry of Health. Action for Humanity will continue to purchase and deliver medical relief materials to medical institutions facing severe shortages.