 Under The Patronage of
His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah
The Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan
PRESS STATEMENT
KUALA LUMPUR, JANUARY 6, 2009, Tuesday – MERCY Malaysia has managed to push USD100,000 worth of emergency medical equipment and medicines through the Gaza border late Monday night.
Palestinian trucks picked up the goods, which are to be delivered to hospitals in Gaza that are in dire need of medical supplies to treat the thousands of Palestinians who have fallen victim to Israeli attacks in the past week.
“We managed to get our things transferred to awaiting Palestinian trucks which will transport them to a central depot before the items are sent to 13 hospitals in Gaza that are in dire need of supplies,” MERCY Malaysia President Datuk Dr Jemilah said in a statement.
Dr Jemilah, along with two others from MERCY Malaysia, is working out of Egypt to aid the Palestinians.
“At the crossing, we were very lucky. After our lorries went through the border, three of us were allowed in. We trudged about half a kilometre to wait for the Palestinian trucks,” she said.
The three were herself, MERCY Malaysia Executive Council Member Norazam Abu Samah and MERCY Malaysia Programme Officer Muhammad Fitri Muhammad Hashim. They walked back into Rafah as soon as Palestinian trucks were loaded.
“Right now, there are two constraints – security and a closed border. Many people have been turned away. There are many, many doctors waiting at the border in case it opens up,” she said.
On Dec 30th, a team from MERCY Malaysia left for Egypt to assess the Palestinian situation after Israeli in response to the humanitarian needs resulting from the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip 11 days ago.
To date, reports read that 625 people have been killed, with more than 2,900 injured. The United Nations says 30 percent of those killed have been women and children.
On Jan 6, MERCY Malaysia managed to push through 50 tonnes of emergency supplies worth USD100,000 across the Rafah border into Gaza. Items included medicine, surgical sets, and disposable items including syringes, intravenous infusions and bandages
For the past day, trucks from the Palestinian side have not been able to collect even life-saving goods as Israel continues with land and air assaults.
Apart from the urgent medical needs, the Palestinians are also desperate for non-medical items.
“There is no clear water and the weather is very cold. People in there will be very, very cold,” said Dr Jemilah.
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