Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Displacement, Unsafe Abortion and Healthcare collapse amid Israeli operations

Between March and May 2024, the Gaza Strip has faced severe challenges due to significant displacement caused by fears of an Israeli operation in Rafah. The mass movement of Palestinians from Rafah to cities in the central Gaza Strip, such as Deir al-Balah, Nuseirat, Bureij, Maghazi, and Khan Younis, has put immense pressure on the delivery of humanitarian aid. This pressure has been exacerbated by the targeting of humanitarian workers and the resulting inefficiencies in aid distribution. The constant displacement has led to the collapse of emergency plans, further straining the health system.

Health services, including sexual and reproductive care, in Gaza have suffered considerably. Hospitals in Rafah and Deir al-Balah, along with field hospitals, face severe shortages of medical materials and equipment essential for pregnancy, childbirth, and post-pregnancy care. Safe abortion services are virtually non-existent due to societal taboos and a critical shortage of anesthesia equipment. Despite efforts by various institutions and youth teams to provide necessary equipment for caesarean sections, the need for medical supplies remains acute.

The general health situation in Gaza is deteriorating due to repeated displacements, which have destabilized the health system. The prioritization of emergency resources has resulted in the suspension of regular care and periodic examinations for pregnant women. This lack of care has led to dangerous childbirth conditions, including caesarean sections performed without anesthesia, resulting in increased mortality rates during operations. Additionally, the scarcity of cleaning supplies has led to the spread of infections, including hepatitis C, due to inadequate sterilization of medical instruments.

Women in Gaza continue to face significant challenges regarding safe abortion, which has worsened in the post-war period. The use of primitive and unsafe abortion methods has become more common, as has the frequent use of birth control pills. Economic hardships and the destruction of drug stores have made sanitary pads expensive and scarce, forcing many girls to use menstrual cycle prevention pills, which has led to health complications.

The health system in Gaza has not prioritized reproductive and sexual health due to its overall collapse from repeated bombings of hospitals and primary care centers. The destruction of maternity wards and operating rooms, including in Shifa Hospital, the largest and most equipped hospital in Gaza, has led to devastating consequences, including the deaths of premature babies.

In response to the ongoing crisis, international institutions, such as the United Nations Population Fund, have begun to restore some capacity by providing medical devices, equipment for pregnant women, sanitary pads, and personal hygiene supplies. However, the closure of the Rafah land crossing by Israeli forces has impeded the entry of these crucial supplies.

Youth teams and organizations like the Peer Education Network and the Women’s Health Foundation have been instrumental in raising awareness about healthy alternatives and providing health supplies. International institutions play a crucial role in coordinating aid delivery effectively in partnership with local civil society organizations and volunteer health clinics operated by medical students in displacement camps.

To address these challenges, it is essential to enhance coordination between international and local organizations, support volunteer field clinics, prioritize women’s health services, and reconstruct health infrastructure to mitigate the severe impact on the healthcare system in Gaza.

Written by guest author: Osama A. A. Naim