PWRDF responds to appeal for Gaza hospital

PWRDF is responding to an urgent appeal from the Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, Archbishop of Jerusalem, for funds for Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, with a grant of $10,000.

The newly installed Archbishop issued a statement May 17 in response to the “rapid escalation of violence throughout the Holy Land,” which began earlier that week.

“Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza has been on the frontlines of these relief efforts, becoming a beacon of hope to those trying to remain alive under such dire circumstances. But they are overwhelmed and in desperate need of upwards of $1.6 million US to obtain fuel for hospital generators, and to purchase emergency medicine and medical supplies so that the doctors and nurses who are working around the clock can meet the crushing flow of injured and traumatized victims in this conflict.

“I therefore issue an appeal to our international partners and all people of goodwill to support this humanitarian mission through their generous contributions to Al Ahli Hospital, enabling them to show forth the compassionate love of Christ in real and tangible ways in these desperate circumstances.”

In addition to sending funds to our long-time partner, PWRDF will also begin receiving donations towards this appeal. The hospital will use the funds to purchase desperately needed fuel for the generators, writes Sawsan Aranki-Batato, Programs Development Officer for the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, in an email to Naba Gurung, PWRDF Humanitarian Response Coordinator.

“Since the beginning of the crisis, Al Ahli staff have maintained around-the-clock presence at the hospital, receiving the wounded and providing them with the critical medical care that they need,” she says. “The hospital is implementing an emergency response plan to receive increasing numbers of trauma cases and has configured an emergency ward with 24 additional beds.”

Aranki-Batato reports that surgeons are treating serious wounds and complex limb injuries and the hospital is also receiving elective cases referred by other hospitals who are overwhelmed with thousands of injured patients. The advanced burn care units are receiving children with severe burns.

When told of PWRDF’s prayerful support, Aranki-Batato expressed her appreciation, saying “Your prayers matter, thank you so much.”

How you can help

Archbishop Naoum asks the Anglican Communion and all of Christendom to join in the following prayer:

“Almighty and Everlasting God: Our days are in your hands; we lift up all those in the Holy Land who are victims of violence and injustice, that you might empower your Church to bring healing to the wounded, relief to the suffering, and comfort to those who mourn; we pray also that you would soften the hearts of all those involved in the recent conflicts, that they would be led to work for justice and lasting peace in the land where your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ first came to bring hope and abundant life to all people; these things we ask in his Holy Name. Amen.”

If you are able to support the needs of the people coping with the conflict in Gaza please go to pwrdf.org/give-today and click on Emergency Response, or click here, then add “Gaza Hospital” to the notes section. You may also call Donor Relations Officer Mike Ziemerink at 416-822-9083, leave a voicemail toll free at 1-866-308-7973 or send a cheque with a memo “Gaza Hospital” to 80 Hayden St. Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2.

– with files from Naba Gurung