Gaza From a Distance, But on the Horizon

July 7, 2009

By Dr Mona El Farra

It has been too long since I have been in contact with all of you. During this time, I have been incredibly busy and my situation has been constantly changing. Traveling between England, where my children live, and Cairo, where I have been fundraising for an urgently needed MRI machine, leaves me watching Gaza from a distance. However, I have had daily contact with my friends and colleagues in Gaza, and have also been visiting Palestinian patients from Gaza in Cairo. Listening to their stories and firsthand accounts reminds of the tragic reality for my people.

It is hard to believe that the cardiovascular and cancer patients in Cairo from Gaza are the lucky ones. I have to stop for a moment to recognize what it means to be Gazan: that we refer to some who are terminally ill as the lucky ones. Very few succeed to cross the border of a siege imposed with the help of Egypt, but dictated by Israel and the US, while the vast majority must stay behind the bars in the prison that is Gaza.

With broken heart, I watch the sluggish dialogue between Palestinian factions. We live and suffer under the occupation, and the lack of unity makes the problem of living under occupation more complex. By staying divided, we are giving to Israel a golden gift-we know they are no partner in peace, and their first rule as colonizers is to celebrate any divisions, and then conquer

Today however, I am inspired to meet with 198 activists of all ages, ethnicities and political backgrounds, many from the United States, united in one idea – Viva Palestina, Live Palestine! United to pass a message of solidarity – that you, Palestine are not alone, you are not forgotten. Justice will prevail. We, a humanitarian convoy of medical aid, will cross the borders in the coming days, on a 2nd humanitarian mission to share in the struggle of the men, women, and children who live under this unjust siege and embargo.

I will continue to challenge myself to write more frequently, and I challenge you to support our work by becoming involved and making a donation to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. Visit www.mecaforpeace.org. Viva Palestina!

Dr. Mona El Farra is a Palestinian physician who lives in Gaza and is a Project Director for Middle East Children's Alliance. She cam ne reached for mona4gaza@yahoo.com.

MRI Appeal for Gaza

June 29, 2009

Dear all

The already deprived health services in Gaza have deteriorated to unprecedented levels. The strictly imposed Israeli/Egyptian siege on the population creates a severe lack of proper health facilities, especially on the secondary and tertiary levels; and the recent Israeli assault against Gaza has made it extremely difficult for the health providers. Medical care providers in Gaza are forced to try to make the balance between emergency services and routine health care services but without the necessary equipment and capacity.

The rate of malnourishment among children is steadily increasing in Gaza, as is the psychological trauma and its ongoing impact on women and children. These are just two of the many dire outcomes of the siege and the military attacks which have caused rising inflation at the same time as unemployment soars.

The number of patients who have died because they were not allowed the basic right to seek medical care outside of Gaza has surpassed 400. Gaza, including its health care system, has been isolated from the rest of the world.

As a response to this isolation, economic hardships, and the deteriorating health situation, the Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip recognizes the importance of adding an MRI machine to its diagnostic center in Gaza. This additional quality service will be the second one in all of Gaza. And the Red Crescent is committed to making MRIs available to patients at a very low cost and at no cost for patients who cannot afford any fee.

Around 2000 people per month will benefit from this highly sophisticated and needed diagnostic procedure. Many of those patients will get the right diagnosis at the right time, as timely medical diagnosis is the first step in effective health management.

This diagnostic procedure will be able to diagnose different kinds of health problems, which are too many to list, but include early stages of cancer, neurosurgical cardiovascular ,and orthopedic diseases.

The cost of an MRI machine is $1.2 million, which includes staff salaries and site preparation. The Red Crescent Society has secured $650,000—more than half the total cost—through generous donations from individuals who have continually supported our services and trusted our role in the society through the years.

We appeal to you to help us to reach our goal and to make this strategic and developmental project a reality for our Gaza patients.

Yours sincerely

Dr. Mona Elfarra

Red Crescent Society for Gaza Strip

PS: For more information please contact us to provide you with the detailed proposal of the project .

letter from my friend , S. Robins, constructive plastic suegeon inside gaza

GAZA - 28th of january
NO COMMENT


hi, what to say? the aftermath of the massacre leaves destroyed families and buildings, no sign of cement coming in, rafah still intermittently closed, many patients transferred to egypt and lost into black hole of buearocracy and families cannot trace. medical staff and people still shellshocked although cars and people on the streets again but all people have the memories of the events of 20 days bombardment, charred bodies and probably no family is intact. we visited a number of homes where people often children sit with legs in plaster, dressings on multiple wounds not sure what happened and what is going to happen as the medical services probably did break under the strain and now only with all the visitors is there an ongoing care. medical staff here need time off but still sit in clinics trying to cope. Money will no doubt pour into the system now but unless there is some justice over the use of unconventional weapons on a civilian popultation so the extent that almost every street had bits of phosphurus mixture that kids play with to make it ignite 20 days later in some cases. That also needs clearing up safely particularly as rain water or heat of the summer could reignite these remnants. children are already getting fingers and faces burnt as they play with remnants in the streets. reports will come out but all effort must be made to bring some justice to the palestinian people.Phosphorus and possible other materials used may also have a later carcinogenic effect. I am ok and being accompanied by Greek and Uk colleagues some of the time which is good when seeing and hearing about these events. such weapons should not even be produced for any use. there are also very disturbing reports of executions by il ground personnel. no wonder il has done its best to keep all journalists and foreigners out as long as they could and for most of the war and still making it very difficult for entry with egyptian beaurocratic help even to deciding that a psychiatrist was not 'medical enough - not needed' in thi situation and therefore not allowed in. knowing when to leave will be difficult as it will take many years and perhaps never for all the physical scars and rebuilding to be done as well as the unseen psychological ones. but much will be healed and helped if there is some justice here. without that the physical scars on the bodies and buildings here may be patched up but the deeper psychological ones will remain without the healing salve of some restorative justice.the picture is as it says - the american school in gaza targetted by il probably with munitions from usa. what an education we are giving here.


ps there is a photo of the detroyed American school building , i couldnot send i will try later on with some othe rphotos from friends in Gaza
love
mona

Gaza needs many years to heal

Hello friends

I am still in Cairo. With a sad heart I am watching home from a distance. The hardest days were when I went to the Rafah Crossing point. I was only one kilometer away from Gaza, but could not enter. I was told that as a Palestinian with dual nationality, I can get in but not out.

While at the border I was greatly touched by the expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people. I met doctors from Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Greece, Turkey and many other countries who came to help the people of Gaza in defiance of Israel’s savage attacks on children, women, and men. We must all work on continuing and expanding these solidarity efforts on different levels. We cannot let Israel get away with its crimes against humanity in Gaza.

I want to thank you all for your solidarity as well as for your practical support. Whether you donated one pound or thousands of pounds, your support and your continuous protests let the people of Gaza feel that they are not alone and will never be forgotten.

I am still in daily contact with friends, relatives, and fellow doctors back home. And I conveyed to them your messages of support and solidarity. I also visited dozens of the injured who were transferred to Egyptian hospitals. They are in great need of rehabilitation after their wounds heal.

I want to share the results of your concrete support for Gaza:
3 ambulances
20 tons of medicine
30 tons of powdered milk and fortified baby cereal
50 wheelchairs
Thousands of coloring books and crayons for kids
Thousands of meals handed-delivered daily to displaced families taking shelter at UN schools

I thank you all, with a special thank you for the teams of volunteers in different areas of Gaza who worked under fire to meet the needs of our community, and for the emergency workers who worked tirelessly to reach the injured and dead. Time is gold in saving lives but Israel deliberately delayed and shot at emergency vehicles leading to the death of 15 emergency workers and countless Gazans.

The 22 days of Israeli attacks on Gaza was just one episode in a long line of catastrophes for Palestinians. Our struggle for justice and freedom continues.

Gaza Update

8th of January -13th day of the Israeli Tttack against Gaza

720 are killed
including :-
215 children
89 women
12 1st aid health workers

more than 3000 are injured many with serious injuries

11 ambulances were attacked and destroyed while on duty

health workers are not allowed to evacute many of the injured ,in many occasions
the medical teams face new sort of burns , thier is a possibility that israel uses white phosphorus against civilians ,INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED AT ONCE .
health teams in Gaza need to be assisted , as they are overwhelmed with the increasing numbe rof the casualities and lack of supplies and electricity ,
new born babies inside the hospitals are under great threat , due to power flactuation in the special care baby units SCBU




43 were killed inside one of the UN schools , were those fleed to the school ,as thier homes were under heavy shelling or destroyed ,the Un asked for immediate investigation and denied Israeli claim of the presenc eof armed men inside the school

no electricity in Gaz a
80%of areas have no water , due to the destroyment of the infra structure , due to the heavy shelling
70%of tleecommuniucations are destroyed too

yestreday Israeli army allowed 3 hours of ceasfire , so the civilians can go to get thier supplies
,but there were no enough bread , vegetables , meat , grosseries and no cash with the population , and thousands are homeless!

thousands of Rafah citizens at the moment are homelss, have been evacuated , and thie rhomes were demolished at the southern part of rafah on the borders ,.

iam indirect contact with my fellow doctors in gaz a, but may be i will lose this contact soon ,as the communications is getting less , and this will lead to real catastrophy on the level of evacauting of the injured


PRAY FOR US this is usual messege i recive from friends , neibghors and relatives in Gaza

thank you all for your solidarity , friendship , and humanatarian concern

Gaza Updates

Dear Friends
I have no words
No comments, as you know iam not in Gaz aat the momet , but all what i hear, from friends and relatives are ,Horrible news

here is Sameh habeeb Blogging from Gaza

Day 9 of Israeli War On GazaNews Report Ground Military OperationBy: Sameh A. HabeebBreaking News: Five Palestinians killed in a bombing targeted Mus'abBin Umair mosque northern Gaza Strip.Breaking News: Five Palestinians from one family "Bakr" killed west ofGaza City. The mother was killed along with her 4 children in F16rocket.Breaking News: Around 17 peoples killed in Al atatra family in Baitlahia town north of Gaza. Amongest them several children, twobrothers, 20-year-old and many old men who were all killed by onerocket. Israeli tanks prevents ambulances from reaching wounded peoplein the same place. Among the recognized victims; Osama sliman, MueenAbu aljdya, Ahmed Abu sltan, Hamaoda Abu sultan, Ali Al sous,Muhammad Al atar, Ahmed Tantish and one from Al shalfooh family.Breaking News: Three paramedics and ambulance staff killed by anartillery shell and F16 rocket near Shikh Ejlin area. The paramedicswere in a mission of rescuing a family hit near Al mahrosa hall. Thefamily still bleeding and no news coming up about them till thismoment.Day 9 of Israeli War On GazaNew Israeli weapons are used, death toll up, ground operation to startDear Editors, Journalists and Friends,The ground military operation started 24 hours ago. Below is a newreport for the 9th day of Gaza War and the outcomes of Israeliinvasion. For more reporting, breaking news, interviews and accountsin Gaza, you could reach me on my contact info below. Please try bothnumbers below because there is a big problem in communication resultedin Israeli power cuts.I'm available 24 hours for media coverage in occupied Gaza. You couldreach me any time in my house. welcome to call me on this number in the night:: 0097282802825blogging from Gaza
may be will keep you updated as iam not there at the moment

messege from Mohammed in Gaza

Events in Gaza. Add By:Mohammed Fares El Majdalawi
this is the messege i have recived from mohammed magdalawi, he live sin Jablia In Gaza, There are holocaust and killing Four hundred martyrs and about two thousandinjured by Israeli air raids.I want to write about suffering of my people and my family in these days In my house we can't get basic needs such as, No foods, No bread ,and Natural gasYesterday , my father went to bakery from 5 AM he waited 5 hours even get one Abundle of bread.This bread not can't enough for my family because consist of 11 members .But today Igo to all bakeries. I can't find any loaf of bread due to be closed. We and my family cannot communicate with our relatives and friends because of thelack of the connecting network also every hour we have a martyr or even more becauseof the raining missiles on our homes , mosques and even hospitals ,There is no safeplace we can go to.In the day our life concentrated in burial of the martyrs who were thousands inhospitals after a short farewell or even without a final look because of the timeshortage those martyrs are graved in groups imagine that a group of martyrs gravedin one grave.At night our camp like ghosts city no sound but the sound of the various militaryaircrafts in every attack our heats and the children hearts is shaking. There is a horror in every minute and it is clear especially on the children, forexample, there was four sisters in one family killed from the Israeli occupation,when stay in their home, and there is children in the south of Rafah.Also, A woman was going to the bakery to buy bread for her family when she waswalking in the street killed the Israeli occupation.I have two message to the world.My message to the lovers of peace and freedom in the world.The First message:Imagine your life is no electricity ,destroyed homes , voice missiles of the day andnight , and no food. Imagine your children and your family tell you we are afraid of the missiles cannot sleep from the Voice of the aircraft. Imagine you and keep the commentary.The second message:Make to end the siege and stop the killings and demolition of houses for ourchildren and to provide assistance to the people through rallies, sit-ins.Finally, I invite you to come to Gaza and see the Holocaust. With Best Regards :Mohammed Fares Al Majdalawi Film Maker and Social WorkerGaza strip _ Palestine mobile :00972599497897_________________________________________________________________Show

if you want to donate now for the Plestinian women and children

another shipment of medical aid toGaza.

Please makea contribution now (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mTGlDM90pyTOSf2hSx55wBl4Ddwwmc1HcUteZRAUK1R1oGDO3m5ckUB3i0QbVtvqj3EtV7rD9tyLrdTKuWRHrRlh563nNI1gZUf2VGpqtQAbvXu-4QioVIVbaew-kDkSV3SGUijE5gxFKlES-3YWcrHjmuSlNlN2) for the children ofGaza whose health and lives are at stake.

While we watch in horror as Israel's bombskill and maim children in their homes andtheir schools, we can do somethingthat will truly make a difference.

Dr. El-Farra, all the people she works within Gaza, and the thousands of families theyserve, join me in asking for your support atthis terrible time to help save thelives and health of thousands ofchildren.
Sincerely,BarbaraLubinMECA Founder and Director
DONATENOW (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mTGlDM90pyTOSf2hSx55wBl4Ddwwmc1HcUteZRAUK1R1oGDO3m5ckUB3i0QbVtvqj3EtV7rD9tyLrdTKuWRHrRlh563nNI1gZUf2VGpqtQAbvXu-4QioVIVbaew-kDkSV3SGUijE5gxFKlES-3YWcrHjmuSlNlN2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For the Children in GazaMore about what you can do - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mTGlDM90pySH48wa7BJoyiBEDjV0u6JQzq47MExYymIMxpvWQ6u4c7J42NtfoaZ9q3QiCRwt2hMB3MyZC3eMT11qvUAze0hEBwEBiTpR7UnutWCthwUA2Q==
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PLEASEGIVE NOW! (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mTGlDM90pyTOSf2hSx55wBl4Ddwwmc1HcUteZRAUK1R1oGDO3m5ckUB3i0QbVtvqj3EtV7rD9tyLrdTKuWRHrRlh563nNI1gZUf2VGpqtQAbvXu-4QioVIVbaew-kDkSV3SGUijE5gxFKlES-3YWcrHjmuSlNlN2)Together we can bringlife-savinghelp to the children!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know you may have already given to MECAthis year. You may have even given more thanonce.
But, please, I ask you to giveagain now.
Whatever amount you canafford will help save the lives ofchildren who are sick, wounded, and hiding interror from Israeli bombs at this moment.

Makea secure online contribution. (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001mTGlDM90pyTOSf2hSx55wBl4Ddwwmc1HcUteZRAUK1R1oGDO3m5ckUB3i0QbVtvqj3EtV7rD9tyLrdTKuWRHrRlh563nNI1gZUf2VGpqtQAbvXu-4QioVIVbaew-kDkSV3SGUijE5gxFKlES-3YWcrHjmuSlNlN2)
Thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Barbara LubinMiddle East Children's Alliance
------------------------------------------------------------email: meca@mecaforpeace.orgweb: http://www.mecaforpeace.org------------------------------------------------------------
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Middle East Children's Alliance 1101 8th Street Suite 100 Berkeley CA 94710

Emergency for Gaza -contact MECA IMMEDIATELY

Dr.Mona El-Farra is flying to Cairo on Saturday to oversee the transportation from Egypt to Gaza of 5 tonnes
of essential medical relief . The consignment was to be taken by boats of the Free Gaza campaign, which can take
up to one tonne per boat. But after an Israeli gunboat rammed and damaged one such relief boat in international waters
earlier this week alternative means had to be found. The World Health Organisation is helping to organise this emergency relief.

The consignment is taking anaesthetic, orthopaedic surgery equipment for adults and children, pain killers as well as milk powder
and general medication. These will be distributed through the Red Crescent Society to hospitals and medical centres. The consignment
is funded by Middle East Children’s Alliance and by a variety of organisations in US, Europe and Britain, including the Liverpool
Friends of Palestine.

Once the emergency is over, Dr.El-Farra hopes to continue a project to introduce water purification into Gaza schools,
to provide drinking water for children. This has the support of Middle East Children's Alliance but has had to be suspended
due to the Israeli bombing of Gaza.
if you like to help please contact mecafropeace.org
mecaforpeace.org

IN Jabalia refujee camp -usual Isreali Army practise

Dear Friends
Today in the early morning hours , and while the health emergency teams on duty in Jabalia were trying to evacuate the injured and dead , they were targeted by the Israeli army. One of the paramedics was killed, and another injured. (I will provide more details when I have the names and time of the incident )

I warned in a previous entry in my blog , and several times in my writing while reporting from Gaza since 2000, of the targeting of health teams while on duty and in clear uniform .
Who is violating human rights? And, talking of terrorism - what about state terrorism!
In Gaza we have much evidence of daily human rights violations. We do not need the world to say they did not know, when this genocide is such a prominent fact.

I am travelling from Manchester to Cairo this week to send medication, emergency supplies, and very important orthopaedic equipment, for Al Awda hospital and the Red Crescent society. Also, some very important children's medication, and medications for chronic diseases. While the hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured, it is important to secure the rest of the patients - a very difficult balance for us in such crisis, with the health services at the point of collapse.

PS
I highly recommend this website for more information about Palestine
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/