Medical Supply Crisis in Gaza: Human Initiative Collaborates with BTS ARMY Indonesia to Deliver Medical Aid at Al-Shifa Hospital

Gaza, Palestine – The escalating conflict between Palestine and Israel since October 7, 2023, has left significant impacts on Palestinian civilians. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), as reported by reliefweb.int on October 24, states that 16,297 Gaza civilians have been injured, along with 1,833 others in the West Bank.

United Nations personnel in the field have recorded hundreds of men, women, and children who have been injured at a hospital in Gaza, Palestine. According to their report, many patients are unconscious, and some have open wounds. These patients are being treated in beds, stretchers, and on the floor with limited medical supplies.

UNOCHA’s data reveals that only 66% of healthcare facilities are currently operational throughout Gaza, with the remaining 34% forced to cease operations. The local Ministry of Health has expressed concerns, stating that the healthcare system in Gaza is currently facing its worst crisis.

“The healthcare system has reached its worst stage in history,” the Gaza Ministry of Health stated.

The opening of the Rafah border, which serves as an access point between Palestine and Egypt from October 21 to 23, 2023, has allowed the entry of 20 trucks carrying medical supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has facilitated the rapid distribution of these supplies to seven major hospitals and several Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) facilities.

“Although limited in quantity, these supplies are crucial for enhancing trauma response and sustaining healthcare services,” UNOCHA reported.

Humanitarian Collaboration: BTS ARMY Indonesia Joins Forces with the Community

The fan community of the South Korean vocal group BTS, known as ARMY, in Indonesia has rallied the Indonesian community to represent humanitarian values through the “Care for Palestine” program. ARMY Indonesia opened a donation page on www.solusipeduli.org for four days from October 18 to 21, 2023.

This humanitarian fundraising campaign initiated by ARMY Indonesia garnered massive and viral support through various social media platforms. By the end of the campaign, ARMY and the Indonesian community had raised over Rp1 billion in humanitarian funds with a total of 20,364 donors.

With the support of BTS ARMY and the Indonesian community, Human Initiative, through local partners, delivered the first phase of humanitarian assistance in the form of 432 medical supply packages to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 23. This humanitarian aid, valued at over Rp400 million, consists of first aid medications (P3K) and basic medical supplies. The 432 medical supply packages were received by injured civilians at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

“This is not about religion, but humanity. This project is executed and exists not only because of ARMY or Kpopers but also due to the assistance of the general public who were moved to help others💜,” stated ARMY Indonesia via their official Instagram account @army_indonesiaa at the conclusion of the donation drive on October 21.

The distribution of the “Care for Palestine” humanitarian aid’s first phase from ARMY and the Indonesian community through Human Initiative consists of two types of aid: medical supply packages and food aid.

As of today, access in Gaza remains extremely limited due to a blockade affecting the availability of fuel for accommodations, electricity, and internet connectivity. Nevertheless, Human Initiative’s local partners continue to make efforts to deliver reports to ARMY and the Indonesian community.

Sources:
https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/hostilities-gaza-strip-and-israel-flash-update-18

Image Sources:
1. Patients receiving treatments on dialysis units at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza (Anadolu-Getty Images: Mustafa Hassona Getty Images)
2. Documentation from Human Initiative’s local partner in Palestine.