Where We Work

Gaza

Israel and Gaza Crisis

Gaza’s population of more than 2 million resides in a politically tense, 25-mile long, 6-mile wide strip of land on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Passed from Egyptian to Israeli and later Palestinian administrative control over the past 70 years, the de-facto self-governing Palestinian territory is home to a severe and long-running humanitarian crisis.

According to the United Nations, the Gaza Strip is “among the poorest places in the world.“ Roughly 46% of Gaza’s population is unemployed, while more than three of every five people in Gaza are food-insecure. More than half of Gaza’s population need humanitarian assistance, and face severe restrictions on access to healthcare and protection services. Hampered by the restricted movement of people and goods, limited staffing, inconsistent payment of salaries and shortages of medicine, the health system relies heavily on humanitarian aid for basic medical services.

Population

million

Life expectancy

73/77 

male/female

Infant mortality rate

14.87 deaths 

per 1,000 live births

The Challenges

Security

Gaza’s tense political and security environment has seen periods of sporadic violence and conflict

Conflict

Continuous conflict and ongoing political tension in the time since has remained a challenge

Instability

Restrictions on humanitarian workers crossing into Gaza, water and fuel cuts, delays in the arrival of supplies; and ongoing tensions contribute to an unpredictable work environment

Our Response

International Medical Corps has worked in Gaza since 2008, implementing emergency preparedness and coordination projects, and providing primary and secondary healthcare; mental health and psychosocial support; child protection and gender-based violence services; and water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare

In collaboration with local partners, International Medical Corps provides primary healthcare services through static facilities and community and/or mobile health teams throughout the Gaza Strip. We also support local health education and hygiene promotion through facility-based community awareness sessions on such topics as handwashing, oral rehydration solutions to treat dehydration, early and exclusive breastfeeding, child nutrition and vaccination promotion. In addition, we provide laboratory and OB-GYN ultrasound services.

Additionally, we provide training to health facility staff in patient safety and infection prevention and control (IPC), and also provide critical medical supplies and equipment. Through a local partner, we provide ophthalmic services too, including pre- and post-operative consultations, ophthalmic surgeries (including glaucoma, cataract, squint and cornea), Avastin injections and laser surgeries. We also work with a local partner to support facility- and home-based physiotherapy and wound care/dressing for people with severe wounds or injuries (those that restrict basic daily functioning) as a result of the ongoing conflict or resulting from such conditions as diabetes-related wounds or amputations. We also provide wound-dressing kits to people in need, and offer coaching sessions to caregivers on wound care/dressing.

Protection

All our protection services are conducted in secure spaces established in local community centers, or are integrated with health programming to increase access to these services for marginalized and vulnerable communities, especially women and children.

Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Our MHPSS programming promotes well-being, protects against additional distress or potential psychiatric emergencies, and includes core training and supervision to ensure high-quality implementation.

Child protection (CP). International Medical Corps’ CP programming focuses on the safety and well-being of children through group activities and individual support services for children, as well as for parents and caregivers—aimed at strengthening the protective environment for children and supporting their resilience and recovery.

Gender-based violence (GBV). Our GBV programming focuses on preventing and responding to GBV by addressing the needs of women and girls, as well as the risks they face, in a safe and secure manner. Our GBV activities include group awareness sessions, community outreach, group empowerment sessions and capacity-building for local professionals and community leaders.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

International Medical Corps builds communities’ resilience and emergency response to and preparedness for natural disasters, especially flooding, through DRR programming. Our services focus on prevention and protection, including reducing the number of people affected by disasters, reducing the damage to critical infrastructure and preventing the disruption of basic services at the community level.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

International Medical Corps establishes effective WASH facilities in partner health clinics and hospitals, and provides necessary IPC materials to minimize infection and transmission risks for staff and patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide hygiene kits to people in need, and increase awareness of effective and safe health and hygiene practices through information, education and communication materials.

Fathers Matter

Involving fathers decreases the effects that traumatic events during the war have on their children and families.

Our Impact

53%
Gaza’s poverty rate, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
46%
Gaza's unemployment rate, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics

Situation Reports

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Resources

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Financial Reports

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