The World Health Organization (WHO) said lifeline supplies have entered the Gaza Strip today after the conditional opening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt. The supplies include trauma medicines and supplies for 1,200 people and portable trauma bags for on-the-spot stabilization of up to 235 injured people. They also include chronic disease medicines and treatments for 1,500 people and basic essential medicines and health supplies for 300,000 people for three months. WHO said it is working with the Egyptian and Palestine Red Crescent societies to ensure the safe passage of these critical supplies and their delivery to hospitals and health facilities. Inside Gaza, hospitals have already reached breaking point due to shortages and the depletion of medicines and medical supplies, it said. ‘These supplies are a lifeline for severely injured people or those battling chronic illnesses, who have endured a harrowing two weeks of limited access to care and severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies,’ WHO, calling for ‘the protection of humanitarian aid teams in Gaza as they work to ensure the safe delivery of these supplies to where they are most needed.’ It stressed, however, that the supplies currently heading into Gaza will barely begin to address the escalating health needs. WHO supplies include surgical instruments and equipment for 1,000 people, as well as tents and water tanks. Another plane carrying WHO supplies is due to land in al-Arish later this morning. WHO supplies on these flights include medicines, surgical supplies and instruments, infusions, disinfectants, antibiotics, water tanks, and tents. With more supplies for Gaza expected to land in Egypt over the coming days, WHO called for sustained and uninterrupted humanitarian access through the Rafah border crossing.
Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA