By Eniola Amadu
A group of Palestinian children who are sick and injured have been moved from Gaza to Ireland for medical treatment.
This will be the third medical evacuation from Gaza, approved by the Irish government after its response last September to a World Health Organization (WHO) appeal to address the health needs of people in the region.
Working with the WHO to select sick and injured children who will be beneficiaries are Doctors from Children’s Health Ireland(CHI).
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The group travelled by land from Gaza to Jordan in a WHO medevac convoy and were later flown on a plane provided by the Norwegian government, accompanied by an Irish medical team from Jordan.
The Irish deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, Simon Harris stated that the children and their families “have been through a horrific ordeal”.
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill revealed that this will be the first time Ireland has carried out a medical evacuation from Gaza City to Ireland through Jordan saying that it was a “complex operation that required close collaboration across multiple government departments and with our international partners”.
She praised the team and said: “The dedication, professionalism and humanity shown by all involved reflects the very best of public service,” adding that “I wish the seven children and their accompanying family members well as they begin their treatment and recovery here.”
After a decision by the Irish government last year, Ireland will accept up to 30 paediatric patients from Gaza in total.
Each case will continue to be reviewed individually, based on the availability of necessary capacity at the time.
Also, the children and their families are provided accommodation in housing managed by the Irish Red Cross.
The support package includes caseworker and translation services to ensure that patients and their carers adequate care and have help accessing all necessary services.
Additionally, the Health Service Executive (HSE) will provide appropriate psychosocial assessments for both the children and their carers.
Meanwhile, since January 2023, Ireland has contributed €101m (£88.4m) to support the Palestinians with a total of €89m (£78m) released since October 2023.
In response to the October 7, 2023 attack, the IDF launched a military campaign in Gaza.
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Thereafter, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 68,000 people have been killed in Gaza by attacks from Israeli.
