Johanniter in Occupied Palestinian Territories
- Since 2004 we have been active in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Gaza and the West Bank).
- Sector: Health
- How we help: Emergency response, humanitarian and transitional aid
- Target groups: Conflict affected population
- Partner Organisations: St John Eye Hospital and Juzoor
Needs and Context
Life in the region has been shaped by the territorial conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
People are traumatized by the endless violence,attacks and armed conflicts, lack of social and political and human right justice. The construction of Israeli separation barriers between Israel and the West Bank, the continuous occupation, as well as border closures in the Gaza Strip, significantly affected the life of millions of Palestinians and restricted the freedom of movement of people and goods as well as the economic and social development of the territories. This results in trauma, unemployment and poverty.
The conflict between Israel and Non-state armed groups has dramatic consequences on the humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza and the West bank.
More than 39,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, and more than 91,000 injured. Healthcare system has collapsed, access to food, water and health care is extremely prevented and limited, giving rise to the advent of large scale famine. The International Food Security Phased Classification (IPC) report warns that “the situation in Gaza remains catastrophic and there is a high and sustained risk of Famine across the whole Gaza Strip”. Access to medical care for those with chronic as well as acute conditions remains very difficult, with many of the medical facilities and hospitals damaged or destroyed. Severe water shortages increase the risk of disease and mortality. Buildings and critical infrastructure have been destroyed. Constant displacement is preventing the civilian population to settle in safe places where Aid can be provided to secure essential needs.
Johanniter’s interventions in Occupied Palestinian territories
Johanniter International Assistance has been active in Palestine in the field of health care since 2004. It has a long-standing partnership with St John Eye Hospital, which is also a member of Johanniter International, the partnership of the four protestant Orders of St John and their national charities.
Johanniter is working with St John and another national charity, Juzoor, to respond to the pressing health needs in Gaza and the West Bank.
Providing eye care posts in emergency field hospitals to provide specialist eye-trauma care as well as to identify and treat those with chronic conditions such as diabetes related Glaucoma - without which people may experience irreversible partial or full blindness.
Johahnniter is supporting Juzzor to provide primary medical care services to displaced people in formal and informal displacement sites in Gaza, psychosocial support to help staff, patients and carers deal with incredibly challenging conditions, with the help of on the ground teams and specialist support.