AROUND 1,000 wheelchairs will be making their way to Gaza after a small ‘window of opportunity’ opened to allow small amounts of aid to reach parts of the stricken enclave.
Arrangements are being finalised with Jordanian authorities to have the specially adapted equipment bought, transported and distributed to those in need.
Part of the funding is set to come from the GDN’s ‘Save a Life in Gaza’ successful Ramadan community campaign, held in partnership with the kingdom’s oldest charity, Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) and its sister operation, the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
“It is a window of opportunity that we can’t miss and within days we will be ready to take them in from Amman,” said BRCS secretary general Mubarak Al Hadi. “Many Palestinians have lost their limbs, others are elderly and some are suffering from chronic illnesses. These wheelchairs will be essential to help them with mobility.”
More than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and nearly 84,700 others injured, according to local health authorities. Eight months into the Israeli war with Hamas, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.
The arrangements for the wheelchair donations are being co-ordinated by the National Committee for Supporting the Palestinian People in Gaza chaired by His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The move to supply them came as part of a collaboration between the BRCS, the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) and three charity societies.
Frustratingly, around 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid for Gaza originally planned by the BRCS remains caught up in the politics surrounding the conflict and the related crime and safety issues.
They include hygiene kits, dignity kits, baby milk and food supplements, as well as medical supplies. Many kind-hearted establishments in Bahrain, including multi-faith groups and schoolchildren, came together to support the campaign with supplies and cash donations.
“We want all the aid to reach Gaza,” added Mr Al Hadi. “It is taking more time than expected because we don’t know if the Israeli forces will intercept the convoys. They are making our lives very difficult.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and following an urgent meeting in Jordan last Tuesday, we may be able to move in with the 40 tonnes through Amman by the end of the month.”
Mr Al Hadi said other distribution options have to be considered too.
“It is not like we have given up but things have to be carried out correctly, especially knowing that people want their donations to reach those who are actually under duress,” he said.
“As we figure out our options, we worked on the idea from the National Committee for Supporting the Palestinian People in Gaza to send 1,000 wheelchairs.
“The situation is heart-breaking and videos and pictures clearly highlight the fact that something needs to be done fast to help the innocent victims of this madness.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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