Medical Care for Displaced Palestinians

Al-Amal Medical Centre – Progress Report

Date: August 2025
Location: Al-Zawayda, Central Governorate, Gaza
Implementing Organization: Kotof El-Khair Association (KEK)
Partners: Emergency Medical Team Netherlands (EMTN), VCS Academy CIC (UK/US)

1. Overview

Since late 2023, the Al-Amal Medical Centre, operated by Kotof El-Khair Association, has been a critical health lifeline for conflict-affected communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Gaza’s central governorate. Positioned near three large displacement shelters, the centre delivers primary healthcare, trauma stabilization, and basic mental health support to over 8,000 residents and IDPs, with services provided free-of-charge and triaged strictly on need.

2. Key Achievements (Jan–Aug 2025)

• Clinical Coverage:
  - 13,000+ consultations provided in the last 12 months.
  - Average of 35 consultations daily across six working days per week.
  - 800+ trauma cases stabilized and referred to higher-level facilities.

• Special Outreach Case – From Amputation Risk to Recovery:
  In April 2025, the centre’s team saved a man’s leg after a severe crush injury from a heavy iron pole. Through 45 consecutive days of wound care, antibiotics, and specialist coordination, the centre prevented amputation and restored the patient’s mobility.

• Maternal & Child Health: 55 monthly deliveries/prenatal contacts, plus 210 under-five sick-child consultations.
• Preventive Health & Mental Health Support: Regular antenatal care, immunization liaison, health education, and Psychological First Aid sessions.

3. Challenges

• Severe shortages of advanced wound care kits, antiseptics, and essential medicines.
• Overwhelming patient load on a small 7-person medical team.
• Risk of contamination in unsanitary environments.
• Dependence on humanitarian corridors for medical supply chain continuity.

4. Current Funding Situation

As of August 2025, our transparent OpenCollective records show only £1 raised towards sustaining operations—wholly insufficient for the monthly needs of approximately USD 4,000 for medicines and consumables. Without immediate funding, there is a high risk of service interruption, which would directly impact thousands of patients, including children, pregnant women, and trauma victims.

5. Looking Ahead (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026 Plan)

Funded activities will support:
1. Retaining the experienced multidisciplinary medical team.
2. Maintaining a two-week buffer stock of medicines and consumables.
3. Ensuring 24/7 readiness for mass-casualty events.
4. Expanding outreach to patients unable to reach the centre.
5. Strengthening psychological support services alongside physical healthcare.

6. How You Can Help

• Immediate donations will ensure uninterrupted access to life-saving services.
• Partnerships with NGOs, grant-makers, and private donors can bridge the USD 103,320 annual funding gap.
• Sharing the story of Al-Amal’s impact will help mobilize global solidarity.

"Every donation counts. Keep it up."

7. Field Visit – Al-Zawaida School (5 August 2025)

On 5–6 August 2025, the medical team from Al-Amal Health Centre, affiliated with Kotof El-Khair Association, conducted a field visit to the unfinished Al-Zawaida School, home to many displaced individuals. The initiative was part of ongoing humanitarian efforts to monitor the health conditions of those residing at the school.

During the visit, the medical team examined several health cases and provided the necessary care, demonstrating high professionalism. Essential medications were distributed to those in need, medical dressings were applied to the injured, and urgent medical support was provided as required.

This activity forms part of a series of humanitarian interventions by Kotof El-Khair Association aimed at alleviating the suffering of displaced persons and ensuring access to primary healthcare under challenging conditions.

8. Humanitarian Aid Under Threat –

Reports from the field describe so-called 'aid distribution points'—referred to locally as #Death_Traps—which have been set up under occupied control. These locations, intended for humanitarian aid, have instead placed tens of thousands of civilians at extreme risk.

Eyewitness accounts report that soldiers have opened fire directly and indiscriminately into the crowds, turning supposed relief efforts into deadly ambushes. To date, this criminal mechanism has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people.

Community leaders and humanitarian actors are united in demanding an aid mechanism that guarantees safe and dignified assistance—free from violence and political manipulation.

These attacks on humanitarian aid severely undermine the safety of both civilians and medical personnel, and highlight the urgent need for internationally monitored, protected humanitarian corridors.

Links:

• http://www.kotof.org