Search:

Arlington, VA — July 8, 2009 — IRD, with the help of several partners, was able to ship almost one million dollars worth of medical supplies to the people in need in Gaza. The shipment is part of a comprehensive relief effort from IRD in Gaza.

“IRD knew exactly what was needed,” said Hani Almadhoun, a Palestinian temporarily living in the States whose family is among the affected and has also followed the efforts of IRD and its partners closely. “They were able to respond quickly.”

As a result of the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip area, hundreds of Palestinian families found themselves without shelter and in great need of medical aid for those wounded during the war.

Immediately after the incursion, IRD mobilized its team in the West Bank to work with the Palestinian authorities to assess which medical commodities would be needed. Then IRD began to coordinate a joint effort with multiple partners to make the medical supplies available – the first step getting permission from the Israeli government to import the medical supplies into the country.

AlMadhoun pointed out that the help of NGOs is essential since people in the area cannot import anything into the country, even if they have the money to do so. NGOs can through coordination with World Health Organization and other UN related agencies.

Gleaning For The World, IRD’s partner and donor, made possible the donation of the medical supplies, which consists of surgical and pediatric accessories, special instruments, general medical exam kits, respiratory and orthopedic equipment, among many others.

The final step was made possible when additional donors such as the Washington DC-based United Palestinian Appeal, the Esseff Foundation and the Salam Ya Seghar (Peace for the Children) Fund responded to the call for relief. These organizations donated the money needed to ship the container to Gaza, now being transported for distribution by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

“This couldn’t have happened without the assistance of all of our partners,” said IRD Director of Acquisitions and Logistics Jim Lanning, who helped arrange the shipment. “It was truly a team effort to get the supplies to the people who need it the most.”