Via the Anglican Communion News Service:
The Anglican Diocese in Jerusalem has launched an emergency appeal for funds to support its al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. The Anglican-run hospital has been overwhelmed by the number of casualties sustained during protests across the Gaza strip this month.
“Our Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza had been literally working around the clock to serve the wounded from the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip ever since the United States formally opened its Embassy in Jerusalem on 14 May 14,” Archbishop Suheil Dawani, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem and Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, said. “The wounded coming to our hospital have no money, but no one is ever turned away. Most of the men, women, and children who are treated at [the hospital] have been injured from live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas intoxication.
“I appeal to all our friends around the world to give generously to this humanitarian crisis, as we, the Church, the hands of Jesus in this place, respond to this tragedy in love and compassion to the wounded.”
The Anglican Alliance adds further details:
“The situation is critical at all Gaza hospitals including AAH”, writes Mrs. Suhaila Tarazi, the hospital’s director. “The death toll in Gaza continues to rise”.
According to WHO figures, 2768 people were injured, 1357 of which suffered gunshot wounds, so the immediate need is great. …
Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was already facing challenging circumstances, in part due to an annual funding cut of $65million by the United States of America to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). UNRWA are now only able to provide a quarter of their standard reimbursement to the hospital for patients treated.
In addition, power cuts across the Strip has required the use of a 400kw generator for 16 hours a day, at the cost of $90 per hour to the hospital.
The hospital is now looking for assistance to provide urgent medical care, configure an extra emergency wing and add additional hospital beds.
Further information on the humanitarian crisis and how to help is available at the Anglican Alliance.