Physicians, lawyer on relief mission to Gaza
Mona Shadia of InfocusNews (Anaheim CA) reports
GAZA STRIP, Gaza City — Dr. Ismail Mehr’s Gaza relief trip wasn’t his first. He has been on relief missions to places like Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami and Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake that shook the country’s capital.
But there was something especially disturbing about the anesthesiologist’s recent Gaza trip.
"You can answer the questions about the Tsunami or the earthquake, it’s an act of nature," Mehr said. "But when a kid asks you in Gaza, you can’t answer this question, because this shouldn’t be happening, because it’s a man-made conflict. And it was difficult to accept as a physician."
Mehr was one of nine doctors who traveled to the hard-hit Gaza after the last Israeli strike that ended the lives of many innocent men, women and children.
On this relief mission was Ahmed Kasem, a Costa Mesa lawyer, who traveled along with the doctors to interpret for them.
The trip was sponsored by the Islamic Medical Association of North America, a nonprofit organization with members who travel to war-torn and disastrous areas to assist with relief efforts.
Mehr, who’s a member of IMANA, was asked to coordinate the trip. At the time Israel invaded Gaza, Kasem was visiting Egypt. From there, he worked to get through the Egyptian border and to get authorizations for him and the rest of the doctors to enter into Gaza, which was very difficult, he said.
"To get through the Egyptian border, you had to be persistent," he said. "There was a Turkish group there, and it took them five days to get there. It took us one day."
The doctors and the lawyer began planning their trip before the ceasefire went into effect. But the team made it there a few days after. Once there, they spent a week in January performing surgeries and helping those who were affected by the war and others who suffered from chronic illness. About 75 surgeries were performed on patients during their visit, Mehr said.
Along with those who were affected by the war and needed immediate help, there were hundreds who suffered from chronic diseases that went without treatment because of the embargo that has been imposed on Gaza for more than two years.
The Israeli-imposed embargo keeps the Palestinians in Gaza isolated by land, sea and air.
Kasem recalled the story of a child with a tumor that grew to the size of a ball due to lack of medical equipment and treatment in Gaza.
"The medical infrastructure is almost nonexistent, not because of the war but because of the embargo," Mehr said. "People are dying every day because of things that can be prevented."
For Kasem, whose trip was the first-ever to a war-torn area, being there was also especially striking. "It was kind of surreal going in," he said. "The Palestinian issue is central to international politics and to the U.S. foreign politics. When I got there, I felt like we were at the center of the conflict. It was surreal. But there was also so much life there. When you strip away all the man-made things, there’s life."
And with all of their troubles, Kasem said, the people in Gaza were not bitter, even though he had not met anyone who had not lost a loved one. This, he said, was the good part of his trip.
But the sad part for Kasem extended beyond seeing the lost lives and the damage the war caused.
"It was going into a place where these people are demonized. I felt really heartbroken," Kasem said.
And although they stayed for one week, the doctors and IMANA have committed to further helping the medical situation in Gaza.
Mehr said they have three goals to reach: Relax the borders to help humanitarian teams enter into Gaza, help build the medical infrastructure and train the doctors.
Kasem said everyone knows the United States is the biggest financial supporter to Israel. So, at the end of the day, "as a U.S. citizen, you should have the right to know what’s going on. Especially at a time when the entire economy is struggling, why shouldn’t people care about what’s being done with their money?"
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Syracuse University to Host Gaza Event
Grief in Gaza: A Doctor's Story
Featuring Dr. Ismail Mehr
7-830PM
March 31, 2009
Hall of Languages
Room 207
Syracuse University
Sponsored by the MSA
Featuring Dr. Ismail Mehr
7-830PM
March 31, 2009
Hall of Languages
Room 207
Syracuse University
Sponsored by the MSA
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Shorthorn Reports on Dr. Mehr's Talk in Texas
Doctor speaks about visit to Gaza, says Israeli embargo must be lifted
Dr. Ismail Mehr said relaxing the Gaza border’s embargo for humanitarian teams is a priority during his March 13 lecture.
Mehr is one of 10 physicians who visited Gaza on a humanitarian medical mission in January. He is the head of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y. The Muslim Student Association’s UTA chapter organized the lecture.
“It took us about seven days to get in,” he said. “The borders, on both Israeli and Palestinian side, were not open even to humanitarian teams.”
Mehr offered a brief history of the conflict to help students understand the situation better.
“I had little knowledge about the Palestine-Israel conflict,” engineering junior Pranusha Ravula said. “But Dr. Mehr helped me understand the history well.”
Mehr helped at Gaza City’s Shiffa Hospital.
“There are 13 [government] hospitals in Gaza,” he said. “Two were completely destroyed and numerous were shot and attacked.”
Mehr said novocaine (local anaesthesia), chemotherapy and other medical tools were hard to get into Gaza because of the embargo.
“Nothing will be resolved until the blood of a Palestinian will be respected as much as that of an American,” he said.
Mehr told a story about a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with liver cancer who was denied exit to Israel or Egypt to get treatment.“
There is no chemotherapy in Gaza,” he said. “He would have had a better chance if this embargo allowed him to exit to get treatment.”
Mehr told stories of young children suffering because of lack of medical equipment in Gaza.
“In Gaza, medicine is improvisation,” he said. “This embargo has crippled and choked the medical system.”
A child who fell at home and cut his lip was held down by his mom and stitched, without pain relief, he said.
In Gaza, they don’t use novocaine on a child because there’s no telling how long it might take to get more due to the embargo, he said.
Mehr encouraged Americans to send more humanitarian teams to Gaza.
“Gaza is the largest open-air prison,” he said passionately. “The dilemma is that the rest of the world just sits there and watches.”
The team of 10 physicians visited an orphanage affected by the conflict.
“There were 3,000 new orphans due to this conflict,” he said. “There were some kids diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder because they saw their parents die.”
Mehr said it’s hard to achieve peace until the new settlements being built every year on the West Bank stop.
“The Palestinian people will stand up and be strong every day,” he said. “They are the most hospitable and the bravest people I have ever met.”
Mehr provided help after the 2004 tsunami and the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005.
“Tsunami and earthquake were acts of mother nature,” he said. “But with the Gaza situation, you cannot really answer the question why another person did this.”
Mehr asked students to read about the conflict and create awareness.
“History ends up being ‘his’ story,” he said. “It’s not political but if anyone had a human touch, they would stand up for these civilians.”
Mehr’s stories brought tears to some students’ eyes.
Biology junior Mohammed Ali said that he thought the presentation showed reality, and he wished other cultures had attended to increase awareness.
-------------
CORRECTION: It actually took the AMMG team over one day to cross into Gaza, not seven.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Arab Talk Features Dr. Imran Qureshi
Arab Talk co-hosts Jess Ghannam and Jamal Dajani of KPOO 89.5 FM (San Francisco) report:
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Presentation On Efforts to Help Gaza
Susan L Wagner of the Wayland (MA) Town Crier reports:WAYLAND - More than 200 people gathered recently at the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland for a presentation titled "Gaza: An Eyewitness Account, Raising Awareness and Funds." The speakers were Drs. Ismail Mehr and Kanwal S. Chaudhry, members of the American Medical Mission to Gaza (AMM Gaza), which visited the Strip in late January, and Yousef Abdallah of Islamic Relief USA.
The AMM mission was the only group of American doctors up to that time to enter Gaza to provide medical assistance after the end of the hostilities of Dec. 27, 2008 to Jan. 18, 2009, with Israel. Their first attempt to enter via Egypt was refused by the Egyptian authorities who control parts of the border. They were finally able to slip in quietly on Jan. 24, staying until Jan. 31.
Mehr, chief of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y., was the leader of the team, and Chaudhry, a member of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Kings County Hospital in New York City, was the only woman in the group. Their "base camp," according to Mehr, was al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
During regular working hours, he said, he was assigned to the operating room, providing anesthesia to surgical patients. Chaudhry said she worked in both the medical and pediatric ERs, did rounds in the pediatric wards, and helped out in the operating room when necessary."I also went to the orphanage and did ‘well child checks’ there," she said.
In the afternoons and evenings, Mehr said, "Patients and family members would find us, and so we went to see them and make decisions to get them to the right people on our team to be taken care of."
According to both doctors, the medical crisis in Gaza is acute.
"The people there are suffering tremendously," Chaudhry said. "This is not only because of the most recent ‘Israeli offensive,’ but from the embargo that has been imposed on the Strip for the last 18 months. This does not allow anyone to enter or exit the Strip … and this is causing a slow grueling death among the people. They are not able to receive humanitarian aid, medications (such as chemotherapy), specialty trained health personnel, etc."
Mehr was taken aback at the amount of improvisation that was needed to treat the sick and wounded.
"I have been to third-world countries on medical relief before, and you always have to improvise," he said, "but not to this extent. We did treat acute burns, amputees, and so on, which we were expecting. But what we were not expecting were the children with cancer, the elderly with kidney failure, and middle-aged diabetics who cannot get insulin. These are issues that are fairly treatable and could be managed by a medical system."
The medical system in Gaza, he went on to say, needs a complete revamping and, for this, it is very important for physicians to be allowed into the Strip "unequivocally" for training purposes."It’s like in Iraq, where local troops are being trained to take over. In Gaza, it’s the local doctors and medical workers who need to be trained," he said.
Proceeds from the Islamic Center of Boston event went to Islamic Relief USA, which is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar campaign to benefit the people of Gaza.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Briar Cliff University to Host Gaza Event
Step Into the Promised Land
Unpacking Israel and Palestine
- Hear an ER doctor's (Rick Colwell) experiences in Gaza
- Listen to a Palestinian peace advocate
- Get a local expert's perspective on Israel and Palestine
- Learn about negotiations as a path to justice
7PM Thursday
March 26
Saint Francis Center, Briar Cliff University
Sioux City IA
Sponsored by Briar Cliff University Peace and Justice Committee and Siouxland Peace Coalition
Unpacking Israel and Palestine
- Hear an ER doctor's (Rick Colwell) experiences in Gaza
- Listen to a Palestinian peace advocate
- Get a local expert's perspective on Israel and Palestine
- Learn about negotiations as a path to justice
7PM Thursday
March 26
Saint Francis Center, Briar Cliff University
Sioux City IA
Sponsored by Briar Cliff University Peace and Justice Committee and Siouxland Peace Coalition
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
To Gaza and Back
Chicago Crescent reports
After spending eight days in war-torn Gaza, Dr. Imran Qureshi, an interventional radiologist from Aurora, feels "eye-opening" is an understatement to describe his experience. From understaffed and substandard medical equipment to fragmented buildings standing amidst rubble, the team of Muslim doctors saw first-hand what the world's largest outdoor prison looked like.
Muslim American doctors help heal Palestinians
After spending eight days in war-torn Gaza, Dr. Imran Qureshi, an interventional radiologist from Aurora, feels "eye-opening" is an understatement to describe his experience. From understaffed and substandard medical equipment to fragmented buildings standing amidst rubble, the team of Muslim doctors saw first-hand what the world's largest outdoor prison looked like."I follow the news but I had no understanding of how bad the situation really is," Dr. Qureshi said in an interview of the Chicago Crescent. "But it was amazing to see how resilient the Gazans are about changing their condition."
As expected, Dr. Qureshi performed procedures beyond what he is used to here in Chicago. The team had to perform surgeries with limited anesthesia and very little monitoring. What they had not expected was how hospitable the Palestinians were. They has expected to survive on protein bars but patient's families and others took care of many of their meals. Even though the hotel room doors did not lock, their belongings remain untouched. They were also surprised as to the high regard the Palestinians held Muslim-American doctors.
"Even though 36 doctors and a jumbo jet of supplies from South Africa landed the same day as us, we were given the hero's welcome," Dr. Qureshi said.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Antiwar Group Features Dr. Ismail Mehr
Ream Kidane of the SocialistWorker.org reports:
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--Over 50 people packed the First Unitarian Church March 6 to hear a panel discussion featuring Dr. Ismail Mehr from the American Medical Mission to Gaza (AMMG), and local antiwar activists.
In conjunction with the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), Dr. Mehr and his team of 12 doctors from the AMMG traveled to Gaza just as Israel's initial military assault ended. Since returning, Dr. Mehr and his team have traveled the country sharing their photos, video and experiences about life under siege in Gaza.
Dr. Mehr's presentation began with a history of Israel's expansion from the early 1940s through its settlement expansion that continues to this day, displacing and expelling the native people all along the way. His photos and video of bombed-out apartment buildings, shot-up medical rehabilitation centers, schools, hospitals and mosques exposed the claim of "Israel's incredible restraint" as a cruel joke.
If the bulldozed cemetery, destroyed Palestinian parliament building and pastures filled with slaughtered livestock were not horrific enough, the crippling effects of Israel's two-year-old embargo and blockade brought many in the room to tears.
Children being held down while doctors stitched up wounds with no anesthetic, simple infections that led to amputation and photos of kidney tumors (a treatable condition in even the poorest countries) grown to the size of footballs due to the lack of supplies and medical equipment reminded us of the slow, agonizing death that many Palestinian men, women and children will face in the coming months.
As the panel continued, Brian Lenzo from Rochester Against War and the International Socialist Organization brought the reasons for the carnage home, with a detailed explanation of the history and ongoing money train, billions of dollars strong, of U.S. government aid that supports Israel's brutality.
Ryan Acuff from the University of Rochester Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and a leading activist from the recently successful campus occupation at U of R, called for a continued mass movement that demands divestment, boycott and sanctions against Israel for its crimes.
The panelists agreed that the coming mobilizations around the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war demanding an end to the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine are the next key step in building that movement.
The event represented a step forward in integrating the movements for justice in Palestine with the antiwar movement in Rochester. It was also a sobering reminder that many more panels, demonstrations, boycotts and occupations will be needed in order to form that movement.
What you can do
Visit the American Medical Mission to Gaza Web site to find out more about the group or to bring Dr. Ismail Mehr and members of his team to your city.
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--Over 50 people packed the First Unitarian Church March 6 to hear a panel discussion featuring Dr. Ismail Mehr from the American Medical Mission to Gaza (AMMG), and local antiwar activists.
In conjunction with the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), Dr. Mehr and his team of 12 doctors from the AMMG traveled to Gaza just as Israel's initial military assault ended. Since returning, Dr. Mehr and his team have traveled the country sharing their photos, video and experiences about life under siege in Gaza.
Dr. Mehr's presentation began with a history of Israel's expansion from the early 1940s through its settlement expansion that continues to this day, displacing and expelling the native people all along the way. His photos and video of bombed-out apartment buildings, shot-up medical rehabilitation centers, schools, hospitals and mosques exposed the claim of "Israel's incredible restraint" as a cruel joke.
If the bulldozed cemetery, destroyed Palestinian parliament building and pastures filled with slaughtered livestock were not horrific enough, the crippling effects of Israel's two-year-old embargo and blockade brought many in the room to tears.
Children being held down while doctors stitched up wounds with no anesthetic, simple infections that led to amputation and photos of kidney tumors (a treatable condition in even the poorest countries) grown to the size of footballs due to the lack of supplies and medical equipment reminded us of the slow, agonizing death that many Palestinian men, women and children will face in the coming months.
As the panel continued, Brian Lenzo from Rochester Against War and the International Socialist Organization brought the reasons for the carnage home, with a detailed explanation of the history and ongoing money train, billions of dollars strong, of U.S. government aid that supports Israel's brutality.
Ryan Acuff from the University of Rochester Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and a leading activist from the recently successful campus occupation at U of R, called for a continued mass movement that demands divestment, boycott and sanctions against Israel for its crimes.
The panelists agreed that the coming mobilizations around the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war demanding an end to the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine are the next key step in building that movement.
The event represented a step forward in integrating the movements for justice in Palestine with the antiwar movement in Rochester. It was also a sobering reminder that many more panels, demonstrations, boycotts and occupations will be needed in order to form that movement.
What you can do
Visit the American Medical Mission to Gaza Web site to find out more about the group or to bring Dr. Ismail Mehr and members of his team to your city.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Physician to Speak on Gaza
Ali Mustansir of The Shorthorn (University of Texas at Arlington) reports:
Physician to discuss his experience in Gaza today at UC Concho Room
The Muslim Student Association will host Ismail Mehr’s visit to UTA today where he’ll speak about his experience in Gaza after the conflict earlier this year.
Mehr is one of ten U.S. physicians from the Islamic Medical Association of North America who travelled to Gaza in January after the cease-fire was announced. He administered medical aid to Gazans with serious illness or injury at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
Nanotechnology assistant professor, Electrical Engineering Assistant Professor and the Muslim Student Association Faculty Advisor Samir Iqbal, said he looks forward to hearing about Mehr’s experiences.
“[Mehr] will be speaking with no political connotation and no religious connotation,” Iqbal said, “What is the human situation there?”
Iqbal said he expects people with very strong and differing opinions to attend.
State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, said that Mehr has an important message and that he plans to attend. He said that Mehr is doing the charity work the Quran calls him to do and shows the importance of people being ready to step in to help.
“[Mehr] is a great example of a professional person who gives their skill freely to help others,” Burnam said.
According to the IMANA Web site, their mission is to provide a forum and resource for Muslim physicians and other health care professionals, to promote a greater awareness of Islamic medical ethics and values among Muslims and the community-at-large, to provide humanitarian and medical relief, and to be an advocate in health care policy.
The American Medical Mission to Gaza reports on the humanitarian and medical observations of the physicians who traveled to Gaza.
When: 3 p.m.
Where: University Center Concho Room
Physician to discuss his experience in Gaza today at UC Concho Room
The Muslim Student Association will host Ismail Mehr’s visit to UTA today where he’ll speak about his experience in Gaza after the conflict earlier this year.
Mehr is one of ten U.S. physicians from the Islamic Medical Association of North America who travelled to Gaza in January after the cease-fire was announced. He administered medical aid to Gazans with serious illness or injury at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
Nanotechnology assistant professor, Electrical Engineering Assistant Professor and the Muslim Student Association Faculty Advisor Samir Iqbal, said he looks forward to hearing about Mehr’s experiences.
“[Mehr] will be speaking with no political connotation and no religious connotation,” Iqbal said, “What is the human situation there?”
Iqbal said he expects people with very strong and differing opinions to attend.
State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, said that Mehr has an important message and that he plans to attend. He said that Mehr is doing the charity work the Quran calls him to do and shows the importance of people being ready to step in to help.
“[Mehr] is a great example of a professional person who gives their skill freely to help others,” Burnam said.
According to the IMANA Web site, their mission is to provide a forum and resource for Muslim physicians and other health care professionals, to promote a greater awareness of Islamic medical ethics and values among Muslims and the community-at-large, to provide humanitarian and medical relief, and to be an advocate in health care policy.
The American Medical Mission to Gaza reports on the humanitarian and medical observations of the physicians who traveled to Gaza.
When: 3 p.m.
Where: University Center Concho Room
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Gaza Event in Dallas TX
Dr. Ismail Mehr – Islamic Medical Association of North America volunteer in Gaza
Hear the experiences of this medical doctor who practiced in Gaza for a week after the Israeli invasion. Dr. Mehr, a physician from New York , is one of the few Western witnesses to the bombing.
Reception @ 615-730PM
Presentation @ 745PM
University of Texas-Dallas
School of Engineering and Computer Science
South Building
TI Auditorium 2.102
The closest parking to the Engineering School is Lot J, adjacent to the Activity Center , across Drive A from the building. The room is directly inside the Engineering School south building – southwest corner of Drive A.
MAP
Sponsored by:
MSA
Dallas Peace Center
Hear the experiences of this medical doctor who practiced in Gaza for a week after the Israeli invasion. Dr. Mehr, a physician from New York , is one of the few Western witnesses to the bombing.
Reception @ 615-730PM
Presentation @ 745PM
University of Texas-Dallas
School of Engineering and Computer Science
South Building
TI Auditorium 2.102
The closest parking to the Engineering School is Lot J, adjacent to the Activity Center , across Drive A from the building. The room is directly inside the Engineering School south building – southwest corner of Drive A.
MAP
Sponsored by:
MSA
Dallas Peace Center
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Arlington TX to Host Gaza Event
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: An American Doctor's Journey in Palestine
"What you did not see on CNN"
Dr. Ismail Mehr, head of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y. and a member of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), will be speaking at University of Texas at Arlington about his first-hand experiences working in Gaza and treating patients with severe illnesses and injuries. Dr. Mehr is one of ten American doctors that dared to enter the extremely battered city of Gaza in Palestine after the Israeli war ended in January of 2009. Dr. Mehr and his colleagues treated the influx of a dying population in Shifaa Hospital. Please join us as we gather to learn about the untold stories of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The presentation will start at 3:00 p.m. sharp. DON'T BE LATE! Please invite your friends and colleagues to attend this important event.
Friday, March 13 2009
3-5 PM
University of Texas-Arlington
University Center, Concho Room (2nd Floor)
300 W First St
Arlington TX
For more details and RSVP, follow the Facebook link
Email: suhasamihsuleiman@yahoo.com
Sponsored by:
Justice 4 Palestine Social Action Committee [DFW]
UTA MSA
CAIR DFW
"What you did not see on CNN"
Dr. Ismail Mehr, head of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y. and a member of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), will be speaking at University of Texas at Arlington about his first-hand experiences working in Gaza and treating patients with severe illnesses and injuries. Dr. Mehr is one of ten American doctors that dared to enter the extremely battered city of Gaza in Palestine after the Israeli war ended in January of 2009. Dr. Mehr and his colleagues treated the influx of a dying population in Shifaa Hospital. Please join us as we gather to learn about the untold stories of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The presentation will start at 3:00 p.m. sharp. DON'T BE LATE! Please invite your friends and colleagues to attend this important event.
Friday, March 13 2009
3-5 PM
University of Texas-Arlington
University Center, Concho Room (2nd Floor)
300 W First St
Arlington TX
For more details and RSVP, follow the Facebook link
Email: suhasamihsuleiman@yahoo.com
Sponsored by:
Justice 4 Palestine Social Action Committee [DFW]
UTA MSA
CAIR DFW
Event for Gaza in Hornell NY
Gaza’s Dilemma
Presented by Dr. Ismail A. Mehr Team Leader, from Hornell
Dr. Mehr led a team of 9 physicians and 2 non medical personnel on a relief mission in Gaza recently. “We were the only Americans in Gaza” said Mehr when asked about other relief organizations and their work. Come join us to hear about what it is like to be in a war zone from the only American who dared go.
Monday March 16th 2009
7pm
Knights of Columbus
251 Main Street
Hornell NY
Sponsored by:
The Hornell Alfred Unitarian Universalist Society (HAUUS) & Steuben County Green Party
Presented by Dr. Ismail A. Mehr Team Leader, from Hornell
Dr. Mehr led a team of 9 physicians and 2 non medical personnel on a relief mission in Gaza recently. “We were the only Americans in Gaza” said Mehr when asked about other relief organizations and their work. Come join us to hear about what it is like to be in a war zone from the only American who dared go.
Monday March 16th 2009
7pm
Knights of Columbus
251 Main Street
Hornell NY
Sponsored by:
The Hornell Alfred Unitarian Universalist Society (HAUUS) & Steuben County Green Party
Monday, March 9, 2009
MPAC to Host Gaza Dinner in Rochester NY
MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) Rochester presents: "American Medical Mission to Gaza" Dinner
An eye witness account by American Muslim Doctors who volunteered their time away from their families to help the sick and wounded at Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
Presentations by: Dr. Hafiz Rehman (Pres. IMANA), Dr. Ismail Mehr (Hornell, NY), Dr. Imran Qureshi, Dr. Ahmed Colwell, Dr. Kanwal Chaudhry…
Saturday March 28th, 2009
6:00 pm Sharp!
Turkish Society of Rochester
677 Beahan Rd.
Rochester NY 14624
Tickets:
Adults…….$15.00
Students…..$10.00
5-12 yrs……$8.00
Under 5……...Free
For Information and Ticket Sales Contact:
Pres Bilal Binici 737-0622
V.P. Mesut Vardar 389-3907
Sec. Umaira Khan 662-9559
Treas. Fatih Binici 208-2779
Farzana Razvi 256-0017
Arifa Idris 716-316-9637
An eye witness account by American Muslim Doctors who volunteered their time away from their families to help the sick and wounded at Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
Presentations by: Dr. Hafiz Rehman (Pres. IMANA), Dr. Ismail Mehr (Hornell, NY), Dr. Imran Qureshi, Dr. Ahmed Colwell, Dr. Kanwal Chaudhry…
Saturday March 28th, 2009
6:00 pm Sharp!
Turkish Society of Rochester
677 Beahan Rd.
Rochester NY 14624
Tickets:
Adults…….$15.00
Students…..$10.00
5-12 yrs……$8.00
Under 5……...Free
For Information and Ticket Sales Contact:
Pres Bilal Binici 737-0622
V.P. Mesut Vardar 389-3907
Sec. Umaira Khan 662-9559
Treas. Fatih Binici 208-2779
Farzana Razvi 256-0017
Arifa Idris 716-316-9637
Dr. Ismail Mehr Speaks On Gaza
Ben Dean-Kawamura of Indymedia (Rochester NY) reports:
As soon as I entered the Unitarian Church on Thursday I was told they needed more chairs. I brought the chairs to the room where Dr. Ismail Mehr was presenting on his experience with the Islamic Medical Association of North America, which was overflowing with about 75 people. I took a seat at the doorway and watched him speak.
As soon as I entered the Unitarian Church on Thursday I was told they needed more chairs. I brought the chairs to the room where Dr. Ismail Mehr was presenting on his experience with the Islamic Medical Association of North America, which was overflowing with about 75 people. I took a seat at the doorway and watched him speak.
When I heard Dr. Mehr talk about the suffering and destruction that he witnessed I felt completely devastated. I think the almost everyone in the room was as well. Today I recorded Dr. Mehr talk about his experience in Palestine, click the links below to hear it.
Intro, medical situation in Gaza, effects of the embargo on medical care, children in Palestine Part 1 (ogg) - Part 1 (mp3)
Getting into Gaza, Egypt and Palestine, the effect of war on Gaza, white phosphorous Part 2 (ogg) - Part 2 (mp3)
Leaving Gaza, ways to help, AMMG's future plans Part 3 (ogg) - Part 3 (mp3)
For more information, check out Islamic Medical Association of North America's website as well as the American Medical Mission to Gaza Blog . Dr. Mehr will be presenting twice more in the Rochester area in the near future. Tuesday, March 24, 6:30pm in Brockport. and Friday March 27th, 5:30pm at the U of R.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
3/6/09 Coverage
Britain aid convoy reaching Egypt
The Lancet reports malnutrition, stunted growth in children
AFP: Palestinian health system going backwards
Reuters video: Homeless Gaza civilians live in tents
The Lancet reports malnutrition, stunted growth in children
AFP: Palestinian health system going backwards
Reuters video: Homeless Gaza civilians live in tents
Gaza Event at University of Rochester Medical Center
The Islamic Medical Association of North America Rochester Student Chapter presents, free and open to the public:
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Featurting eyewitness accounts by American Medical Mission to Gaza physicians Dr. Ismail Mehr, Dr. Rick Colwell & Dr. Imran Qureshi
Friday March 27, 2009
Class of 1962 Auditorium
URMC/Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester NY
5:30-7:00PM
Co-sponsored by: PHR- Physicians for Human Rights,
MPAC-ROC Muslim Political Action Committee
For more information contact:
President, Imran_Punekar@urmc.rochester.edu
Vice President, Nurain_Fuseini@urmc.rochester.edu
IMANA-Rochester
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Featurting eyewitness accounts by American Medical Mission to Gaza physicians Dr. Ismail Mehr, Dr. Rick Colwell & Dr. Imran Qureshi
Friday March 27, 2009
Class of 1962 Auditorium
URMC/Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester NY
5:30-7:00PM
Co-sponsored by: PHR- Physicians for Human Rights,
MPAC-ROC Muslim Political Action Committee
For more information contact:
President, Imran_Punekar@urmc.rochester.edu
Vice President, Nurain_Fuseini@urmc.rochester.edu
IMANA-Rochester
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Gaza Event in Brockport NY
Mercy in a War Zone
Gaza's Dilemma
In January, a group of American doctors went to Gaza to provide humanitarian relief because they felt they “had to do something.”
Please join us in welcoming the leader of the medical team,
Dr. Ismail Mehr
Dr. Mehr will share his experiences and discuss the reality of war in a way we haven’t seen it before.
Tuesday, March 24
6:30 PM
Edwards Hall Blue Room
The College at Brockport, State University of New York
Brockport NY 14420
This program is proudly sponsored by Students for Peace and Justice
Gaza's Dilemma
In January, a group of American doctors went to Gaza to provide humanitarian relief because they felt they “had to do something.”
Please join us in welcoming the leader of the medical team,
Dr. Ismail Mehr
Dr. Mehr will share his experiences and discuss the reality of war in a way we haven’t seen it before.
Tuesday, March 24
6:30 PM
Edwards Hall Blue Room
The College at Brockport, State University of New York
Brockport NY 14420
This program is proudly sponsored by Students for Peace and Justice
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Spectrum Reports on Dr. Mehr Event
Amanda Woods of The Spectrum (Buffalo NY) reports:
Benefit instills awareness of suffering in Gaza
Two people who have had extensive first-hand experiences in the turmoil-filled territory of Gaza Strip discussed the graphic scenes they witnessed at Salvatore's Italian Gardens Restaurant on Friday night in conjunction with UB's Organization of Arab Students (OAS) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
The event titled "A Benefit for Palestine: Shedding Light on the Atrocities in Gaza," which was co-sponsored by the Western New York Peace Center, was held with the purpose to help promote awareness and fundraise for the people suffering in the Gaza Strip.
Tamera Akarah, president of the OAS, opened the night by explaining the central purpose of the event.
"This event is not only about raising money for the people in Palestine, but also raising awareness," Akarah said.
The two speakers of the night believed that it was extremely important that all be made aware of the violence and suffering in Gaza.
Ismail Mehr, head of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y. and a member of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) spoke about his first-hand experiences working in Gaza and treating patients with severe illnesses and injuries.
There were once 13 hospitals in Gaza, two-thirds of which were destroyed during the Israeli invasion, according to Mehr. Perhaps the most severe problem that prevents Palestinian patients from receiving proper medical attention is the embargo that Israel placed on the Gaza strip.
"The embargo has caused the medical system to be choked off, so we ended up inheriting children dying of diabetes and cancer," Mehr said. "Because of the embargo, nothing goes into Gaza and nothing comes out."
Mehr pointed out that in Gaza, normal routine illnesses that could have been taken care of anywhere, even in third-world countries, were not being adequately addressed because the proper medications and supplies were not allowed into the region. During his time in Gaza, Mehr found that there was no local anesthesiologist, no monitors to provide anesthesia and no chemotherapy to treat cancer.
The medical world was not the only realm affected by the embargo, according to Mehr. He visited a partially built orphanage, but because the embargo does not allow any materials or building supplies to come in, the orphanage will probably not be completed.
Mehr was shocked to see that basic necessities were being denied entry due to the embargo.
"There is no doubt that Gaza is the world's largest open-air prison," Mehr said.
Mehr explained that one of IMANA's future goals in Gaza is the unequivocal entry of medical and humanitarian teams into the region. However, this can only be possible if the current embargo is loosened or eliminated.
"None of this is going to happen if this embargo remains in place," Mehr said.
The second speaker for the night was Laila El-Haddad, a Palestinian journalist and writer based between Gaza and the United States who reports for the al-Jazeera English web site and the Guardian Unlimited.
Israeli disengagement in Gaza does not better the situation or prevents civilians from suffering, according to El-Haddad.
"Gaza is still occupied after disengagement," El-Haddad said.
El- Haddad used the metaphor of a gerbil cage to relate what Gaza is like even after disengagement. Even if the obstacles are removed, the cage still remains.
"There is no escape and there is no entry," El-Haddad said. "There is nowhere to run to."
In addition to the talks by Mehr and El-Haddad, attendees at the event were treated to a four-course meal. They also bid on various Palestinian-made accessories and decorations during an auction at the end of the night.
People called the event eye-opening, yet enjoyable experience.
Rawey Kased, a junior media study major and member of OAS, believed that the true success of the event lied in the new awareness that many gained of the suffering in Gaza.
"This event was very successful not only because we raised a substantial amount of money for the children suffering in Gaza, but also because it promoted awareness here in America," Kased said.
Another attendee at the benefit, local resident Mehla Abdallah, emphasizes the importance of seeing through the eyes of the Gazans.
"The people need to know what is going on in Gaza. We must speak out and show our love and support," Abdallah said. "All of the money in the world that we raise will never be enough for our country, our love—Palestine."
Benefit instills awareness of suffering in Gaza
Two people who have had extensive first-hand experiences in the turmoil-filled territory of Gaza Strip discussed the graphic scenes they witnessed at Salvatore's Italian Gardens Restaurant on Friday night in conjunction with UB's Organization of Arab Students (OAS) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
The event titled "A Benefit for Palestine: Shedding Light on the Atrocities in Gaza," which was co-sponsored by the Western New York Peace Center, was held with the purpose to help promote awareness and fundraise for the people suffering in the Gaza Strip.
Tamera Akarah, president of the OAS, opened the night by explaining the central purpose of the event.
"This event is not only about raising money for the people in Palestine, but also raising awareness," Akarah said.
The two speakers of the night believed that it was extremely important that all be made aware of the violence and suffering in Gaza.
Ismail Mehr, head of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y. and a member of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) spoke about his first-hand experiences working in Gaza and treating patients with severe illnesses and injuries.
There were once 13 hospitals in Gaza, two-thirds of which were destroyed during the Israeli invasion, according to Mehr. Perhaps the most severe problem that prevents Palestinian patients from receiving proper medical attention is the embargo that Israel placed on the Gaza strip.
"The embargo has caused the medical system to be choked off, so we ended up inheriting children dying of diabetes and cancer," Mehr said. "Because of the embargo, nothing goes into Gaza and nothing comes out."
Mehr pointed out that in Gaza, normal routine illnesses that could have been taken care of anywhere, even in third-world countries, were not being adequately addressed because the proper medications and supplies were not allowed into the region. During his time in Gaza, Mehr found that there was no local anesthesiologist, no monitors to provide anesthesia and no chemotherapy to treat cancer.
The medical world was not the only realm affected by the embargo, according to Mehr. He visited a partially built orphanage, but because the embargo does not allow any materials or building supplies to come in, the orphanage will probably not be completed.
Mehr was shocked to see that basic necessities were being denied entry due to the embargo.
"There is no doubt that Gaza is the world's largest open-air prison," Mehr said.
Mehr explained that one of IMANA's future goals in Gaza is the unequivocal entry of medical and humanitarian teams into the region. However, this can only be possible if the current embargo is loosened or eliminated.
"None of this is going to happen if this embargo remains in place," Mehr said.
The second speaker for the night was Laila El-Haddad, a Palestinian journalist and writer based between Gaza and the United States who reports for the al-Jazeera English web site and the Guardian Unlimited.
Israeli disengagement in Gaza does not better the situation or prevents civilians from suffering, according to El-Haddad.
"Gaza is still occupied after disengagement," El-Haddad said.
El- Haddad used the metaphor of a gerbil cage to relate what Gaza is like even after disengagement. Even if the obstacles are removed, the cage still remains.
"There is no escape and there is no entry," El-Haddad said. "There is nowhere to run to."
In addition to the talks by Mehr and El-Haddad, attendees at the event were treated to a four-course meal. They also bid on various Palestinian-made accessories and decorations during an auction at the end of the night.
People called the event eye-opening, yet enjoyable experience.
Rawey Kased, a junior media study major and member of OAS, believed that the true success of the event lied in the new awareness that many gained of the suffering in Gaza.
"This event was very successful not only because we raised a substantial amount of money for the children suffering in Gaza, but also because it promoted awareness here in America," Kased said.
Another attendee at the benefit, local resident Mehla Abdallah, emphasizes the importance of seeing through the eyes of the Gazans.
"The people need to know what is going on in Gaza. We must speak out and show our love and support," Abdallah said. "All of the money in the world that we raise will never be enough for our country, our love—Palestine."
3/4/09 Coverage
UN: Aid inflow remains restricted
Donors pledge $3B to rebuild Gaza
14 truck convoy finally granted entry after 18 days of negotiations in Egypt
Article featuring Dr. Qureshi published in a variety of news organizations including Counterpunch.org, Media Monitors Network, CommonDreams.org, Online Journal, Mathaba News Network, Australia.TO, Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Scoop Independent News (NZ), and many blogs around the world.
Donors pledge $3B to rebuild Gaza
14 truck convoy finally granted entry after 18 days of negotiations in Egypt
Article featuring Dr. Qureshi published in a variety of news organizations including Counterpunch.org, Media Monitors Network, CommonDreams.org, Online Journal, Mathaba News Network, Australia.TO, Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Scoop Independent News (NZ), and many blogs around the world.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Naperville Radiologist Stunned by Gaza Scene
Elitsa Bizios of Naperville Community Televison, Channel 17 reports:
Dr. Imran Qureshi Tells What he Saw
Naperville radiologist Dr. Imran Qureshi normally doesn’t do without the most modern technology and sterile equipment.
But those standards looked like luxuries in war torn Gaza… the doctor returned from there last month.
With 1300 dead and thousands left homeless Radiologist and Naperville Resident Imran Qureshi says the after math of Israel’s recent military offenses are nothing short of devastating.
Qureshi was one of a team of 9 physicians that went to the Middle East to assist at Gaza’s largest hospital. He says the facility was very run down and far from medical standards we’d expect in the US. The Islamic Medical Association of North America coordinated the trip to Gaza. The nonprofit provides medical and humanitarian aid when possible.
Qureshi and his team were able to help nearly forty people. He says the experience was humbling. He is now working with doctors and congress representatives to try and get medical staff into the now sealed boarders of Gaza.
“A lot of people have never left this small patch of land about the size of Naperville and it just hits you,” Qureshi says. “These people are so isolated from the rest of the world, there’s really no one out there that’s trying to help them.
To learn more about Dr. Qureshi trip visit ammgaza.com
Dr. Imran Qureshi Tells What he Saw
Naperville radiologist Dr. Imran Qureshi normally doesn’t do without the most modern technology and sterile equipment.
But those standards looked like luxuries in war torn Gaza… the doctor returned from there last month.
With 1300 dead and thousands left homeless Radiologist and Naperville Resident Imran Qureshi says the after math of Israel’s recent military offenses are nothing short of devastating.
Qureshi was one of a team of 9 physicians that went to the Middle East to assist at Gaza’s largest hospital. He says the facility was very run down and far from medical standards we’d expect in the US. The Islamic Medical Association of North America coordinated the trip to Gaza. The nonprofit provides medical and humanitarian aid when possible.
Qureshi and his team were able to help nearly forty people. He says the experience was humbling. He is now working with doctors and congress representatives to try and get medical staff into the now sealed boarders of Gaza.
“A lot of people have never left this small patch of land about the size of Naperville and it just hits you,” Qureshi says. “These people are so isolated from the rest of the world, there’s really no one out there that’s trying to help them.
To learn more about Dr. Qureshi trip visit ammgaza.com
Monday, March 2, 2009
Global Research Article Features Dr. Imran Qureshi
Medical Mission Heroes in the Middle East War Theater
Sonia Nettnin of Global Research reports:
The Obama Administration should help war and occupation’s victims receive humanitarian assistance, and they should help the injured travel abroad for medical care. Moreover, the Obama Administration should help all medical professionals who travel to war torn areas, so they can care for the victims and train local doctors.
Recently, the Human Rights Program of the University of Chicago, Amnesty, along with Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a panel discussion of medical professionals who care for the victims of war and occupation.
The panel included: Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, a pediatric cardiologist from Rush Hospital in Chicago, who led several missions to Iraq and Palestine over ten years. As a volunteer, he screened hundreds of children, many who had life-saving, cardiac surgery; and he developed a formal, training program for Iraqi doctors in his specialty. Dr. Scott Eggener, a urologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, is an active member of IVUMed (International Volunteers in Urology). He participated in volunteer educational and surgical missions to Cuba, Honduras, Morocco, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Palestine; Dr. Imran Qureshi, an interventional radiologist at Rush-Copley Medical Center, was one of nine, American doctors who traveled to Gaza after Israel’s “Operation Cast Lead;” and Steve Sosebee, President & CEO of Palestine Children Relief Fund. For nearly two decades his organization has sent over 800 children overseas for surgery and medical care.
“I’ve seen the slow deterioration of Gaza over the past, 20 years,” Sosebee said. He explained that the purpose of creating the PCRF was to address the humanitarian needs of kids living under occupation and not having access to adequate health care. His full-time staff identify kids who need surgery and medical treatment relief. “We’ve identified 15 kids to send outside and we can’t get them out…we can’t get Israel or Egypt to permit them outside,” he added.
In the recent invasion of Gaza, nearly 6,000 people were injured and over 1,300 people killed, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Nearly 1,900 of the injured were children and out of the more than 1,300 killed, 410 were children.
Sosebee explained that many children who experienced head and neurological injuries live with permanent, brain injuries. Also, children who lost their limbs and are in need of prosthetic limbs and rehabilitative services are confined to wheelchairs now. With permanent disabilities these children have no future because there are no rehabilitative services to provide lifelong assistance for them in Gaza.
“We’re trying to do something on a positive level,” Sosebee said. “This is a human issue…we need to use energy in a positive way…surgery, humanitarian aid is an appropriate response.”
Volunteer Medical Teams and Humanitarian Aid
Dr. Qureshi gave a visual and qualitative, slideshow presentation of his recent visit to Gaza. He showed photos of destroyed civil and residential buildings, including the rubble of the Catholic Relief Services’ medical center. Overturned cement trucks and inoperable, damaged ambulances only prolongs rebuilding the Gaza Strip.
On March 1st Human Rights Watch issued the press release: Israel/Gaza: Donors Should Press Israel to End Blockade. They explained: “International donors to Gaza's reconstruction and development should call on Israel to end its punishing blockade of the territory and to allow needed humanitarian assistance and normal commerce to resume.”
Their findings have been released one-day ahead of the high-level conference for Gaza reconstruction, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The organization emphasizes that the number of humanitarian and commercial truckloads needed to sustain the 1.5 M people living in Gaza are in-park at the border crossings. Therefore, the number of trucks allowed to cross over the border do not meet the peoples’ daily needs.
Last week the media reported the US would be donating US $900 M at tomorrow‘s international donors conference, where US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to speak.
Is it Enough? Gaza Stripped, Occupation Remains
Out of the 1.5 M refugees living in Gaza, an estimated 100,000 are homeless. They live in a white sea of tents, with 25 people living in each tent. After surviving the recent invasion, these people struggle in cold weather. They do not have heat, electricity, running water, and few belongings.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency is supporting an estimated 700,000 Palestinians living in Gaza. In their recent report, “Quick-Response Plan to Restore Critical Services to Refugees in Gaza,” UNRWA estimates their budget needs for January through September 2009 is an estimated $346 M.
Is it enough? Qureshi showed photos of the destroyed Palestinian Ministry of Health and Agriculture buildings. As an interventional radiologist, Quereshi’s medical specialties include: biopsies, fibroid embolization, hepatobiliary intervention, as well as vascular and interventional procedures. When he worked in Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, the hospital has a capacity of 80-100 beds. Yet, there were over 400 patients in the hospital. He said the hospital lacked medical equipment and sterile supplies.
“I used tape to tape up some of the equipment,” he said, showing the slide of his repairs. Then he showed a slide of modernized, medical equipment - in typical use throughout the US or Europe. The stark contrast was obvious. Without financial, logistical and training aid, Al-Shifa Hospital does not have the resources to modernize itself.
Originally, Al Amal Orphan Society had 250 orphans. Now they have 2000 new orphans, with few funds and supplies to handle the influx of kids. A building that was under construction to be a new UN school will house the orphanage. At present, it is a bare, cement floor with pillars supporting the ceiling.
Training Local Doctors
Abdulla started going on medical missions to Iraq over ten years ago. Although there are only 42 pediatric cardiology fellowship programs in the US, he was not aware of any Arab country that had formal training for their doctors. As a result, he brought a team of Belgium cardiologists and physicians into Iraq. Together, they developed a formal training program in Iraq, along with a pediatric cardiac center. “I spent a lot of time and effort,” he added.
In 2003, the US invaded Iraq. Looters stole medical equipment from the ICUs and set fire to the hospitals. He thought all of the efforts he made over the years had gone to waste. Yet, the important training he provided the Iraqi doctors came to life. They rebuilt their centers.
“That’s when I realized the importance of the small contribution I was doing…it was the infrastructure we were able to leave behind, what we were able to teach them,” Abdulla said.
Medical professionals of diverse backgrounds have demonstrated that their volunteer surgery and medical initiatives are imperative for the people on the receiving end of war and occupation. It is up to individuals in the international community to continue making contributions that aid people in their time of need.
Political leadership’s role is to help victims rehabilitate in every way possible so they can lead normal lives.
Our children - no matter who they are or where they are from - should not be left to fend for themselves.
Sonia Nettnin is a journalist who writes about social, political, economic, and cultural issues. Her focus is the Middle East.
Sonia Nettnin of Global Research reports:
The Obama Administration should help war and occupation’s victims receive humanitarian assistance, and they should help the injured travel abroad for medical care. Moreover, the Obama Administration should help all medical professionals who travel to war torn areas, so they can care for the victims and train local doctors.
Recently, the Human Rights Program of the University of Chicago, Amnesty, along with Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a panel discussion of medical professionals who care for the victims of war and occupation.
The panel included: Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, a pediatric cardiologist from Rush Hospital in Chicago, who led several missions to Iraq and Palestine over ten years. As a volunteer, he screened hundreds of children, many who had life-saving, cardiac surgery; and he developed a formal, training program for Iraqi doctors in his specialty. Dr. Scott Eggener, a urologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, is an active member of IVUMed (International Volunteers in Urology). He participated in volunteer educational and surgical missions to Cuba, Honduras, Morocco, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Palestine; Dr. Imran Qureshi, an interventional radiologist at Rush-Copley Medical Center, was one of nine, American doctors who traveled to Gaza after Israel’s “Operation Cast Lead;” and Steve Sosebee, President & CEO of Palestine Children Relief Fund. For nearly two decades his organization has sent over 800 children overseas for surgery and medical care.
“I’ve seen the slow deterioration of Gaza over the past, 20 years,” Sosebee said. He explained that the purpose of creating the PCRF was to address the humanitarian needs of kids living under occupation and not having access to adequate health care. His full-time staff identify kids who need surgery and medical treatment relief. “We’ve identified 15 kids to send outside and we can’t get them out…we can’t get Israel or Egypt to permit them outside,” he added.
In the recent invasion of Gaza, nearly 6,000 people were injured and over 1,300 people killed, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Nearly 1,900 of the injured were children and out of the more than 1,300 killed, 410 were children.
Sosebee explained that many children who experienced head and neurological injuries live with permanent, brain injuries. Also, children who lost their limbs and are in need of prosthetic limbs and rehabilitative services are confined to wheelchairs now. With permanent disabilities these children have no future because there are no rehabilitative services to provide lifelong assistance for them in Gaza.
“We’re trying to do something on a positive level,” Sosebee said. “This is a human issue…we need to use energy in a positive way…surgery, humanitarian aid is an appropriate response.”
Volunteer Medical Teams and Humanitarian Aid
Dr. Qureshi gave a visual and qualitative, slideshow presentation of his recent visit to Gaza. He showed photos of destroyed civil and residential buildings, including the rubble of the Catholic Relief Services’ medical center. Overturned cement trucks and inoperable, damaged ambulances only prolongs rebuilding the Gaza Strip.
On March 1st Human Rights Watch issued the press release: Israel/Gaza: Donors Should Press Israel to End Blockade. They explained: “International donors to Gaza's reconstruction and development should call on Israel to end its punishing blockade of the territory and to allow needed humanitarian assistance and normal commerce to resume.”
Their findings have been released one-day ahead of the high-level conference for Gaza reconstruction, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The organization emphasizes that the number of humanitarian and commercial truckloads needed to sustain the 1.5 M people living in Gaza are in-park at the border crossings. Therefore, the number of trucks allowed to cross over the border do not meet the peoples’ daily needs.
Last week the media reported the US would be donating US $900 M at tomorrow‘s international donors conference, where US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to speak.
Is it Enough? Gaza Stripped, Occupation Remains
Out of the 1.5 M refugees living in Gaza, an estimated 100,000 are homeless. They live in a white sea of tents, with 25 people living in each tent. After surviving the recent invasion, these people struggle in cold weather. They do not have heat, electricity, running water, and few belongings.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency is supporting an estimated 700,000 Palestinians living in Gaza. In their recent report, “Quick-Response Plan to Restore Critical Services to Refugees in Gaza,” UNRWA estimates their budget needs for January through September 2009 is an estimated $346 M.
Is it enough? Qureshi showed photos of the destroyed Palestinian Ministry of Health and Agriculture buildings. As an interventional radiologist, Quereshi’s medical specialties include: biopsies, fibroid embolization, hepatobiliary intervention, as well as vascular and interventional procedures. When he worked in Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, the hospital has a capacity of 80-100 beds. Yet, there were over 400 patients in the hospital. He said the hospital lacked medical equipment and sterile supplies.
“I used tape to tape up some of the equipment,” he said, showing the slide of his repairs. Then he showed a slide of modernized, medical equipment - in typical use throughout the US or Europe. The stark contrast was obvious. Without financial, logistical and training aid, Al-Shifa Hospital does not have the resources to modernize itself.
Originally, Al Amal Orphan Society had 250 orphans. Now they have 2000 new orphans, with few funds and supplies to handle the influx of kids. A building that was under construction to be a new UN school will house the orphanage. At present, it is a bare, cement floor with pillars supporting the ceiling.
Training Local Doctors
Abdulla started going on medical missions to Iraq over ten years ago. Although there are only 42 pediatric cardiology fellowship programs in the US, he was not aware of any Arab country that had formal training for their doctors. As a result, he brought a team of Belgium cardiologists and physicians into Iraq. Together, they developed a formal training program in Iraq, along with a pediatric cardiac center. “I spent a lot of time and effort,” he added.
In 2003, the US invaded Iraq. Looters stole medical equipment from the ICUs and set fire to the hospitals. He thought all of the efforts he made over the years had gone to waste. Yet, the important training he provided the Iraqi doctors came to life. They rebuilt their centers.
“That’s when I realized the importance of the small contribution I was doing…it was the infrastructure we were able to leave behind, what we were able to teach them,” Abdulla said.
Medical professionals of diverse backgrounds have demonstrated that their volunteer surgery and medical initiatives are imperative for the people on the receiving end of war and occupation. It is up to individuals in the international community to continue making contributions that aid people in their time of need.
Political leadership’s role is to help victims rehabilitate in every way possible so they can lead normal lives.
Our children - no matter who they are or where they are from - should not be left to fend for themselves.
Sonia Nettnin is a journalist who writes about social, political, economic, and cultural issues. Her focus is the Middle East.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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