1. Hospitals are under attack

‍Many hospitals and health facilities in Gaza and Lebanon have been severely damaged or destroyed due to the conflict. Just 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are still operational, and none of those are functioning fully, leading to inadequate access to healthcare for the population. This has significantly reduced the capacity to provide emergency care, maternity services, and other critical health provision.

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2. Essential supplies are running out‍

In Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank, humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and food, face significant barriers in reaching those in need. Delays and impediments at checkpoints severely hamper efforts to distribute aid to those who need it, and once goods do gain entry to Gaza, attacks on aid workers and facilities are a constant threat. The lack of essential medical supplies getting into Gaza and the West Bank drastically limits stock in the few health centres still operational, further hampering the ability to provide adequate healthcare to patients with desperate chronic conditions.

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3. Infectious diseases are spreading

More than 8,000 children have been diagnosed with malnutrition, according to the United Nations. The ongoing conflict has disrupted food supplies, pushing Gaza towards a potential famine. The destruction of infrastructure, overcrowding in shelters and the rise of malnutrition cases have heightened the risk of the spread of infectious diseases. Limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities has further compounded this issue, increasing the prevalence of diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections.

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‍4. It's not just physical health at stake

‍People are trapped amid an ongoing conflict with no end in sight. Prolonged and repetitive exposure to traumatic events severely impacts the mental health of the population. UNICEF reports that nearly all of Gaza's 1.2 million children urgently need mental health support, and 70% of adults are battling depression according to the World Bank. Mental health services are severely limited and yet an overwhelming proportion of the population in need of psychosocial support due to the trauma and stress of living in a war zone.

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5. It’s not just Gaza that’s affected

Access in and out of the West Bank is severely restricted. Most checkpoints across the West Bank remain closed, limiting people's movements and affecting their ability to access basic services, including medical care. Palestinians in the West Bank are experiencing an explosion of violence against them. Jenin has been particularly hard hit, with bombings and incursions by Israeli forces in the refugee camp killing and wounding dozens of people. As of 28 May, the World Health Organization has documented 480 attacks on health care in the West Bank since the start of the conflict, they include attacks on health infrastructure and ambulances, the detention of health workers and patients, obstruction of their access to health facilities, use of force on health workers and militarised searches of ambulances and staff

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In Lebanon, a large-scale military operation was launched between Israel and Hezbollah resulting in the deadliest exchange of fire across borders since October 2023.

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This increase in violence has resulted in civilian deaths, injuries, and displaced people. Since the 23rd of September, more than 90,000 people have been reported as newly displaced. Many of the displaced are likely experiencing a secondary displacement since October last year with the escalation of conflict in Gaza and the wider region. Lebanese officials have announced the opening of over 250 shelters across the country. Water infrastructure has been affected by the new strikes, affecting access for at least 30,000 people, increasing the risk of poor sanitation and hygiene which can lead to higher rates of diseases and infections such as cholera and polio.  

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Prior to the recent airstrikes, Lebanon’s health minister expressed concerns over the minimum inventory stock in the healthcare system due to recent budget cuts which have left critically limited medicine and supplies for an emergency. The conflict has led to the destruction of key infrastructure, including health facilities. Many health care workers have left Lebanon since the start of the crisis, and medical facilities are working with limited resources. Local health centres, which are already at capacity, could face increasing pressure as they contend with the growing medical needs of displaced people.

How is IHP helping?

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Prior to the escalation of violence, IHP had an existing long-term programme in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. Since the start of the conflict, IHP has reached over 600,000 patients with 18 shipments. The needs are vast, and we need your support now more than ever.

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These shipments have included:

• Cancer medicines

• Mental health medication  

• Antibiotics and pain relief medication

• Medical supplies such as insulin needles, syringes, IV fluids and wound dressings

• Water purification tablets

• Medicines for chronic health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes

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In Gaza

IHP medicines have been utilised by our partner Anera as part of their free medical days, at their wound clinics and more recently, at the opening of a dedicated non-communicable disease clinic in Khan Younis. People living with chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes are particularly at risk to disruptions in their treatment so ensuring sustained access to medication is vital. IHP have sent six shipments to help support almost 500,000 people

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In Lebanon

IHP has shipped medication to support over 68,000 people. Shipments included over £3 million worth of cancer medicines, supporting 868 patients who are undergoing ongoing treatment and mental health medicine for over 4,500 people. Patients just like Malek’s sister, whose family faced a desperate search to find the medicines she needed. READ THEIR STORY HERE

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In the West Bank

IHP have sent four shipments of essential medicines and medical supplies in partnership with Anera. These shipments are supporting over 140,000 patients.

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With the increasing scale of the crisis across the region, we continue to respond to urgent medical needs and have a further three shipments in development that will support more than 103,700 patients over the coming weeks.  

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We are working tirelessly to source and send more medicines to meet the growing needs. We urgently need your support to continue this life-saving work. Will you help us bring hope and better access to health to those affected by this crisis?

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