Relief International, with support from EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid operations, is proud to support Al Awda Association’s Hospitals. The teams at these hospitals in Nuseirat and Jabalia are making every second count—performing surgeries, treating malnourished children, and providing psychosocial support to those who have lost so much.
Among the dedicated professionals at Al-Awda’s Hospital in Nuseirat is Dr. Wisal Abu Laban, who has devoted her life to the well-being of children. Before the escalation of violence in Gaza, she served as the head of a hospital children’s department. Today, she continues her mission at Al-Awda’s Hospital, providing critical care to children suffering from malnutrition.
Dr. Wisal leads the hospital’s stabilization center, focusing on the medical and nutritional care of children with both acute and moderate malnutrition. Through their outpatient clinic, her team is striving to treat children in dire need after being cut off from the nutrition they require for the past 15 months.
“We receive many children, with the majority of cases related to malnutrition. Unfortunately, due to the conflict, we have seen a significant increase in these cases,” she explains.
One of the major hurdles faced by the hospital is lack of critical supplies. Whilst Relief International was able to deliver a shipment of hospital beds and medicine in January, not all medications are available.
“While we have some essential supplements, many other crucial medications are still lacking,” Dr. Wisal notes. The conflict has made it difficult to maintain a stable supply, although the situation has seen some improvement over time. “The lack of security and safe transportation to and from the hospital has made our work even more difficult,” she adds.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Wisal and her team remain committed to their mission.
“We had a child admitted to the hospital suffering from severe malnutrition and extreme diarrhoea. After conducting several tests and monitoring the case, we diagnosed the child with celiac disease, which affects nutrient absorption. We provided medical, emotional, and psychological support, and thankfully, the child has now recovered and is doing much better.”
Despite the devastation, Dr Wisal remains hopeful. “I have big dreams,” she says. “My greatest hope is for Gaza to be rebuilt, for schools and hospitals to be restored and reopened, and for people to live in peace and security once again.”
Whilst the situation remains highly unpredictable, it is certain that the impact of this war will be lasting. In the long-term, Relief International is committed to working with Al-Awda to restore health facilities in Gaza, and to support the health and wellbeing of the people of Palestine. Please donate today to support our work in Gaza and around the world.
Relief International-France in the occupied Palestinian territory
With support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Relief International has been expanding the capacity of Al-Awda’s Hospitals in Jabalia and Nuseirat, as well as supplying essential resources. Since August 2024, Al-Awda’s facilities have reached thousands of people with secondary health services, including general and trauma surgery, reproductive healthcare and treatment for moderate and severe acute malnutrition.
