GAZA, PALESTINE – Together with a number of collaborative partners in the country, Dompet Dhuafa disbursed humanitarian assistance entitled “Surgical Operation Project”. This project took place at the Al Razi Health Complex, Al Nuseirat area, Gaza Strip, on November 10-25, 2024, in the form of medical assistance for 100 Palestinian citizens who needed minor to medium surgical operations.
This program comes as a response to the critical situation that has hit Gaza due to prolonged aggression since 7 October 2023. The conflict that lasted for more than 420 days has caused significant damage to the health sector, including hospitals and ambulances that were also targeted by brutal attacks.
With a death toll of more than 45,000 people and thousands more injured, many surgical operations have been postponed due to limited hospital capacity and high medical costs. The number of surgical operations that were delayed due to the depletion of hospital operational funds is the reason why Dompet Dhuafa and its partners undertook this project.
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The multi-stakeholder collaborators in this project include Khaiya Hijab (Aura Kebaikan Indonesia), BAZMA Pertamina EP Regional 2, BDI Pertamina EP Regional 2, Guzelya Marisova Djani, Melukis Slide, Wetcode Indonesia, Doctor Kadyrove Skincare, and PT Sinthe Utama Indonesia (Sammora).
In the implementation of the on-site operation project, Dompet Dhuafa synergized with Merciful Hands Charity, a non-governmental organization that focuses on providing services for the wounded and people with disabilities in Gaza. This project aims to alleviate the suffering of patients who are unable to undergo surgery due to the high cost and limited hospital situation during the conflict.
Muhammad Azmi Al-Hajj, Director of Al-Razi Health Complex, explained that most of the beneficiaries of this program are refugees from Gaza City and the Nuseirat region. The beneficiaries have a wide range of illnesses and need urgent surgical operations. However, the difficult conditions in government hospitals, the severe situation of aggression, as well as the high costs are the main obstacles.
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According to Utammi Sri Lestari, Dompet Dhuafa’s Partnership Manager, reported by local health volunteers, each patient has their own story of struggle. With this program, Dompet Dhuafa is trying to help them get proper medical access.
“Hopefully, the conditions in Gaza will improve. Our brothers and sisters there will soon get their rights,” Utammi said when giving a statement at Philanthropy Building, South Jakarta, Friday (12/20/2024).
Danu Ibrahim, Founder of Khaiya Hijab, also expressed his commitment in supporting this program. Some of the values instilled in Khaiya Hijab are sharing and spreading kindness. She added that this program also involves Khaiya Hijab employees, distributors and customers to spread kindness. By sharing, she hopes to help her brothers and sisters in Palestine who are facing severe trials.
“Kindness must be spread so that it can continue to live. We hope that this activity can show our concern for our brothers and sisters in Palestine and provide extensive benefits for others,” she said when handing over the donation to Dompet Dhuafa, Saturday (27/01/2024).
The Surgical Operation Project program is one of the concrete manifestations of global solidarity in alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people in the midst of a prolonged conflict. With cross-organizational synergy, this program is expected to have a significant positive impact on the people of Gaza. Dompet Dhuafa continues to open spaces for collaboration through various means to continue helping the people of Palestine. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dedi Fadlil