WHO to evacuate 1,000 Gazan women, children for urgent medical care
A woman walks next to destroyed buildings at the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike that targetted a branch of the Al-Qard Al-Hassan finance group in Beiruts southern suburbs on October 21, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP Photo)
The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to evacuate up to 1,000 women and children from Gaza to Europe for urgent medical care, according to Hans Kluge, the head of WHO’s European branch.
The announcement comes as Israel continues its blockade of the war-torn region, with medical evacuations expected to take place over the coming months.
Medical evacuations supported by WHO and European nations
The evacuations will be facilitated by the WHO, in collaboration with European countries, as part of an ongoing effort to provide essential medical care to those affected by the conflict in Gaza. “Israel is committed to 1,000 more medical evacuations within the next months to the European Union,” Kluge said in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Since October 2023, the WHO has already coordinated 600 medical evacuations from Gaza to seven European countries. These efforts aim to provide critical treatment to individuals who otherwise lack access to necessary medical facilities because of the ongoing conflict.
Israel targeting health facilities in Gaza
The announcement follows accusations by U.N. investigators that Israel has deliberately targeted health facilities in Gaza and has been involved in the deaths and torture of medical personnel. The allegations have raised concerns about the safety of healthcare workers and the availability of medical resources in the besieged territory.
In May, WHO’s representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn, highlighted that around 10,000 people needed evacuation from Gaza for urgent medical care.
Addressing health crises beyond Gaza
Kluge emphasized the importance of keeping dialogue open with all parties involved in conflict zones, not only in Gaza, but also other regions affected by war, such as Ukraine. “The most important medicine is peace,” he said, stressing that healthcare workers must be allowed to carry out their duties in such areas.
In Ukraine, Kluge expressed concerns about the upcoming winter and its impact on the country’s health infrastructure. He noted that 80% of the civilian energy grid in Ukraine is damaged or destroyed, with hospitals struggling to operate under these conditions.
Preparing for future health crises
Despite the strains on healthcare systems across Europe, Kluge underscored that WHO’s European region, which includes 53 countries, has been able to unite to better prepare for future pandemics.
A European strategy for pandemic preparedness is set to be unveiled on October 31, aiming to strengthen healthcare systems against future health crises.
