Fighting continues in the Gaza Strip and other areas of the Middle East and humanitarian suffering is increasing. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with eleven national Red Cross Societies, opened a field hospital in Rafah on May 14, 2024. krone.tv spoke to Hisham Mhanna, who has worked for the ICRC since 2019 and lives in Rafah, about the situation on the ground.
“Since the start of military operations, the situation has deteriorated daily. “More and more families are being displaced from their homes and forced to live in makeshift accommodation, which often provides little access to water, food and health care,” Hisham explains. “There are only a very limited number of hospitals, including the ICRC field hospital, which makes the supply situation extremely difficult.”
Urgent need for basic amenities
The most urgent needs of the people of Rafah are water, food and adequate health care. Hisham describes the situation as extremely volatile, characterized by constant fear and uncertainty.
“Everyone is afraid of being next”
“People are afraid they won’t live to see the next morning. Fear is ubiquitous and explosions are the order of the day,” he says. “Our field hospital was overwhelmed for three consecutive days by an influx of casualties that far exceeded the hospital’s capacity.”
Hope in the midst of chaos
Despite these frightening circumstances, there is also hope. “Since the field hospital was established on May 14, more than 25 healthy babies have been born every day,” reports Hisham. “Our team is doing its best to save lives and provide urgently needed medical care.”
Another major problem is water-borne diseases. “These diseases have been spreading among the displaced for months. The lack of access to sufficient and clean water and the destroyed water and wastewater infrastructure contribute significantly to this,” Hisham explains.
With more than 150 staff on site who continue to work despite the most adverse conditions, the ICRC provides important assistance. “We not only provide healthcare services, but also support water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as the distribution of hot meals and hygiene products,” Hisham explains. “Despite our efforts, unmet humanitarian needs remain enormous.”
The Red Cross is urgently asking for donations:
Austrian Red Cross
IBAN: AT57 2011 1400 1440 0144
BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
Erste Bank: Bank code 20.111
Password: Middle East
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
