WHO, KSrelief sign new agreement to support over one million people in Gaza
6 February 2024, Cairo, Egypt – A US$ 10 million agreement signed today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) will provide more than one million people in Gaza with access to emergency life-saving health services.
“The collaboration between WHO and KSrelief signifies a strategic, coordinated response to addressing urgent health needs in Gaza,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. “KSrelief’s generous commitment will enable WHO to continue bolstering the health system, ensuring that people displaced by ongoing violence have access to lifesaving health care.”
The project, which will be implemented over a 12-month period, will support 30 primary health care centers and 10 hospitals and ambulances across Gaza with essential medicines, medical supplies and disposables, and fuel. Approximately one million internally displaced people and those living within the catchment area of the targeted health facilities stand to benefit from this project.
Recent hostilities in Gaza have strained the health system and exacerbated challenges such as shortages in essential services, clean water, food, and fuel. In just four months, almost 28,000 people have been killed, and almost 67,000 people injured. More than 1.7 million people have been displaced, the majority living in overcrowded shelters. Ambulance access is hindered, disease surveillance disrupted, and inadequate water and sanitation have increased the spread