Justice For All Canada participated as a collaborator, co-organizer and media partner of this event. The following press release was originally published by UOSSM, and is being re-printed on our website.
UOSSM Holds Press Conference Urging Canadian Government to immediately address mounting healthcare crisis in Gaza |
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December 8, 2023 - The Union Of Medical Care And Relief Organizations (UOSSM), in collaboration with medical relief organizations, held a press conference on Tuesday, December 8th discussing the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Speakers discussed at length the collapsing healthcare infrastructure, and the severe impact of Israeli bombardment on civilians, including fuel shortages, and medicine scarcities. Speakers concluded by advocating for the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire to prevent further killing of Palestinians, including delivering long-lasting aid to impacted groups and rebuilding medical buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardment since October 7th, 2023. Consistent with demands made by the UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, speakers urged Canada to support urgent humanitarian supplies crossing into Gaza and a multifaceted approach to deliver aid, deploy medical personnel, and provide crucial mental health support, especially to traumatized children who are enduring the brunt of this crisis.
After a week-long truce, the Israeli regime resumed its indiscriminate bombing of civilians and vital infrastructure in Gaza. Speakers highlighted the latest reports indicating a staggering loss of life and destruction of health and medical necessities. To date, 15,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military airstrike attacks, including 5,600 children and 3,500 women. Medical facilities have been systemically targeted by Israeli forces, with 26 out of 35 hospitals left non-functioning and 87 ambulances damaged. Over 200 healthcare workers have been killed and 130 injured. More than 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced. The lack of assistance and continuous bombardment has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations sectors. Almost 50,000 Palestinians living with disabilities have been left without necessary assistance. The gendered impact of Israel’s aggression has also contributed to dire situations faced by Palestinian women and girls. Over 50,000 pregnant women are expected to give birth in deplorable conditions with restricted access to food and medicines, severely disrupting maternal, newborn, and child health services. Babies left abandoned in Gaza’s northern Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital were found dead and already decomposing in intensive care units.
Program speakers urged Canada’s government to take the following diplomatic actions;
1. Permanent immediate ceasefire
2. Urgent adequate and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid including food, water, fuel and medical supplies/equipment
3. Canada must support rules-based international humanitarian law and justice mechanisms and we demand an independent investigation by the United Nations into the killing and kidnapping of civilians and healthcare workers and the bombing of hospitals
For media inquiries, please contact: Hana Faidi, [email protected], (905) 465-0660
After a week-long truce, the Israeli regime resumed its indiscriminate bombing of civilians and vital infrastructure in Gaza. Speakers highlighted the latest reports indicating a staggering loss of life and destruction of health and medical necessities. To date, 15,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military airstrike attacks, including 5,600 children and 3,500 women. Medical facilities have been systemically targeted by Israeli forces, with 26 out of 35 hospitals left non-functioning and 87 ambulances damaged. Over 200 healthcare workers have been killed and 130 injured. More than 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced. The lack of assistance and continuous bombardment has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations sectors. Almost 50,000 Palestinians living with disabilities have been left without necessary assistance. The gendered impact of Israel’s aggression has also contributed to dire situations faced by Palestinian women and girls. Over 50,000 pregnant women are expected to give birth in deplorable conditions with restricted access to food and medicines, severely disrupting maternal, newborn, and child health services. Babies left abandoned in Gaza’s northern Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital were found dead and already decomposing in intensive care units.
Program speakers urged Canada’s government to take the following diplomatic actions;
1. Permanent immediate ceasefire
2. Urgent adequate and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid including food, water, fuel and medical supplies/equipment
3. Canada must support rules-based international humanitarian law and justice mechanisms and we demand an independent investigation by the United Nations into the killing and kidnapping of civilians and healthcare workers and the bombing of hospitals
For media inquiries, please contact: Hana Faidi, [email protected], (905) 465-0660