FOCUS
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Alleviating Hunger
MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
MDG 4: Reduce child mortality
MDG 5: Improve maternal mortality
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development
OVERVIEW
Economic and living conditions in the Gaza Strip—the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA)—are grim. The second intifadah in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, and military measures in 2003 resulted in the destruction of many buildings, the disruption of administrative structure, and widespread business closures. The UN estimates that more than 100,000 Palestinians have lost their jobs. Half the labor force is unemployed and 81% of people live in poverty.
Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which extends over five countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, within the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Thirty-one parishes minister to the needs of their communities, centered on the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr in Jerusalem. The church supports thirty-five institutions, including hospitals, clinics, primary and elementary schools, vocational training programs, as well as institutions for the deaf, the disabled and the elderly.
Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is meeting the urgent health care needs of the most vulnerable people in the Gaza Strip. Working with Ahli Arab Hospital, Episcopal Relief and Development is providing health care to those who have no other access to medical services. Participants are seen first in outpatient clinic setting, and those who need a higher level of care are admitted to the hospital.
Due to restrictions imposed during the frequent outbreaks of violence, many residents of Gaza have become undernourished, particularly children.
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care to people living under siege, the indigent, and others who are unable to reach health care services through the Community Outreach Clinics which operate in the most restricted areas of Gaza.
- Free, twice-monthly health care services ensure vulnerable residents can obtain medications and psychosocial screenings.
- Round trip transportation provides access to care for people needing physical therapy, surgery, diagnostic evaluation, and in-patient care at Ahli Arab Hospital.
Alleviating Hunger
Episcopal Relief and Development is fighting hunger and malnutrition in Gaza by identifying and treating those most at risk, particularly children under five years old.
- Nutritional screenings and height/weight/head circumference measurements conducted during physical exams help identify those with serious nutritional deficiencies.
- Emergency food packages prevent malnutrition among those most at risk.
