Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – The recent conflict in Gaza has painfully marked the local population, especially the children. This is what the Caritas staff in Jerusalem has stated, after having obtained the necessary permits from the Israeli government to begin humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, following the war this past January. There are currently 5 medical teams from Caritas working in the area, in five different locations, offering medical assistance to the wounded and the most seriously ill, as well as post-trauma psychological assistance, especially for children.
From their medical posts, the Caritas workers observe the situation of Gaza's population and sees the urgent needs of the territory.
The medical aid is definitely a priority, a report from Caritas said, as 40% of the hospitals and clinics in the area have been damaged by bombings and many sick and wounded have died for lack of sufficient attention.
Caritas workers also mention that the people have been suffering heavy psychological stress for years, given the difficult living conditions, the closing-off to the outside world, unemployment, poverty, and a sense of powerlessness. The recent conflict has also added on to the situation, leading to psychological illnesses such as depression, anxiety, emotional traumas – especially among children and the elderly – that have in turn led, in many cases, to the rupture of families and domestic violence. The negative effects and destruction left by the war, Caritas says, is not only evident on an economic level, but also on a psychological and social level.
Many of the traumatized, Caritas observed after performing a study on the question, are children who suffer from eating disorders, insomnia, chronic fear, and disorientation, and are in need of sufficient psychological therapy in order to recuperate confidence in themselves and in the world around them. Therefore, Caritas has placed great emphasis in trying to provide psychological assistance, especially for children.
The living conditions of thousands of families, which today are homeless and living under tents, does not help in trying to improve the material and psychological conditions of the sick and traumatized. There are currently 16,000 internally displaced persons in Gaza, living in 10 refugee camps.
In light of this situation, Caritas is making an appeal for humanitarian aid, “which is crucial at this point” and for an aid plan for reconstruction and development in the Gaza Strip. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/03/2009)
