Rapid economic decline has pushed a large percentage of Israel's population below the poverty line.  Unemployment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has reached 60% and is still rising, and in some villages it approaches 100%.  The World Bank estimated that 60 percent of the population of the West Bank and Gaza live under a poverty line of US$2 per day. The numbers of the poor approach nearly 2 million today.  Restraints on exports, damage or destruction to small factories and closed borders have all lead to severe hardship.

ERD is partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem to provide healthcare to children and families living in poverty.

Current Programs

Primary health care for children and families:
ERD is working in partnership with the Community Outreach Clinics Program (COC) in Jerusalem, at both Ahli Arab and St. Luke's Hospitals.  The geographic areas served will be the entire Gaza Strip and the Nablus District of the West Bank.  The aim is to improve the health status of the inhabitants of this area through the expansion of the community outreach services for the ill/injured and impoverished victims of the conflict.  Patients will receive free health care services, as well as screening for psycho-social and nutritional vulnerabilities.  Treatment and emergency food packets will be provided as necessary.

Ahli Arab Hospital is located in the Gaza Strip area of Palestine.  Throughout its emergency program the hospital has continued to provide medical treatment to victims of the current crisis. The hospital is involved in organizing community outreach clinics targeting the most needy areas to bring primary health care services to villages and individuals who cannot access health services from any other source.

St. Luke's Hospital in Nablus is an extension of the ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.  It aims to enhance the welfare of the Palestinian, providing medical care for all patients who are poor and in need, regardless of race, religion or financial status.