Estonian Refugee Council delivers 1,400 meals to Gaza hospitals
The Estonian Refugee Council has provided 1,400 meals in food aid to Gaza hospitals, helping deliver daily meals to both patients and healthcare workers.
Last week, the Estonian Refugee Council began distributing meals in hospitals across Gaza City in collaboration with Gaza Soup Kitchen.
Aid has reached Al-Shifa, Al-Nasr Children's, Al-Helou International, and Al-Ma'madani hospitals, feeding patients and staff in emergency, oncology, surgical, maternity, pediatric and malnutrition wards.
"Despite airstrikes, evacuation orders and damaged roads, we've managed to deliver food daily," said Estonian Refugee Council director Eero Janson. He noted that the recent Israeli offensive has made the operation harder, but the council is committed to continuing aid for as long as possible.
Janson previously noted that hospitals in Gaza are often the only places people can turn for help.
"With the support of Estonian donors, we are able to provide essential food assistance in hospitals, giving patients the strength to recover and supporting the doctors and nurses who work under difficult conditions to save lives," he added.
Palestinians in Gaza have faced near-constant humanitarian crises for almost two years, with hostilities, mass displacement, and shortages of food, water, fuel and medical supplies leaving the entire population — more than 2 million people — dependent on aid. The Israeli blockade limits essential supplies, and one-third of the population faces catastrophic famine, often going days without food.
Last month, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported that parts of Gaza had reached the highest famine level, Eero Janson said on "Terevisioon."
"What that means is that one in five households is facing extreme food shortages, at least 30 percent of children are acutely malnourished, and every day at least two people out of 10,000 die from hunger or from the combined effects of disease and hunger," he explained.
The Refugee Council chief called Israel's man-made famine a war crime amounting to genocide, and urged Estonians to pressure politicians to take a clear stand.
More information about the Estonian Refugee Council's Gaza campaign, including how to donate, is available here.
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Editor: Michael Cole, Aili Vahtla
