Urgent need: Fundraising Appeal for Gaza—Healthy Lives for All

Dear Friends—

I’m reaching out once again because the need for support in Gaza is great, becoming greater with each passing day—and there is no end in sight. Since my appeal in December, the number of deaths of Palestinians has increased to over 22,000 (an estimated 70% are women and children) over 58,000 have been injured and about 8,000 more are reported missing and are most likely dead. People are facing starvation, infections, and infectious diseases that are more likely to occur under the conditions of a devastated environment: decaying corpses (human and animal), unclean water, inability to wash, open sewage and open trash disposal with no sanitation treatment available, and so on.

And then, there are the effects of trauma—psychological as well as physical—that will be experienced well beyond the end of this war into future generations. (The casualties of this war also extend to non-human lives which have been obliterated throughout the Gaza Strip by thousands of bombs dropped and the bulldozing of the land.)

I’m in daily contact with my dear friend, Dr Jehad Hasanain, a physician and humanitarian who is, like all people in Gaza, trying to survive each day while managing his and his family’s need for food, water, medicines, and shelter, and while going to the nearby hospital to provide medical care for sick and injured people. At the same time, Dr Jehad is doing all he can to continue his humanitarian actions in Rafah.

Thus far, he has (with donations received) purchased materials for tents, purchased ingredients for food (soups and stews), and provided medicines (antibiotics and immune supporting supplements). All of this has been made possible from your generosity. All of the money you contribute (except for PayPal fees) has gone directly to Dr Jehad to do what he can for others in his community, when he can safely do so. It is all deeply appreciated and has allowed many people to live with a bit more security and a bit less suffering.

Here are recent words from Jehad (written here with his permission):

Life has become figuratively black
Dreams are over
People with dreams and ambitions have died or suffered injuries that prevent them from achieving their dreams
The children’s future is unknown
Schools, mosques and nurseries were destroyed
The sky is full of smoke, bombs and planes
The food is black from too much smoke
Cars run on cooking oil
Hospitals are completely or partially destroyed
The smell of blood and death is everywhere
Martyrs are buried in the streets, on the sidewalks, and in the courtyards of homes
The children are dirty and their clothes are not washed
They haven’t showered for months
Life is very, very, very difficult

All of life is precious. And, all people, regardless of their identities, should have the opportunity to live with dignity and with the safety and security necessary to have a good life. For the Palestinian people living in Gaza, the foundation upon which to build a good life has been destroyed—literally.

Please consider giving to “Healthy Lives for All” www.healthylives-gaza.org (just CLICK ON THE RED HEART located throughout the webpage to donate)

THE NEED IS URGENT and any amount you give is deeply appreciated!

On behalf of Dr. Jehad and with love and deep gratitude,

Sally Bowden-Schaible

Fred Mollon

ABOUT DR JEHAD and HEALTHY LIVES FOR ALL:

Dr Jehad Hasanain is a physician from Rafah, located on Gaza’s border with Egypt. He works at European Gaza Hospital (EGH) in Khan Younis, south of Gaza City. He has worked, too, at Abu Yosuif, Al Najjar, Al Shifaa, Al Rantessi, and Al Aqsa hospitals and at many primary health care centers in Gaza. He is the devoted father of three girls, ages 3 to 7. For many years, Dr Jehad has given unwavering support to impoverished children and their families who are in desperate need for assistance: medicines, surgical procedures, warm clothing, repairs to damaged shelters needed for protection from the rain and cold.

I (Sally) joined him in 2021 (Warmth for All) to help him in fundraising. Healthy Lives for All is the project that continues our fundraising efforts.

This year, we are joined by Fred Mollon, a dear friend of Dr. Jehad’s, who lived for seven years in the West Bank—the last two years of which were during the first intifada, witnessing the brutality of the occupation forces against his friends and their families.

PHOTOS OF TENTS CONSTRUCTED WITH SUPPLIES FROM DONATIONS TO DR. JEHAD AND FOOD PROVIDED (photos by Dr Jehad)