The Ministry of Social Development Issues an Urgent Appeal to Support Persons with Disabilities in the Gaza Strip
Ramallah: The Ministry of Social Development is following with deep concern the severe humanitarian repercussions and catastrophic consequences of the Israeli war of extermination on the Gaza Strip. This war has devastated all aspects of life, disproportionately affecting persons with disabilities, whose numbers have increased at an unprecedented rate. Their daily lives have turned into a doubled struggle, placing this group at the forefront of those most impacted due to the physical and psychological challenges that have been exacerbated by the war.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization, the devastating war has left more than 111,000 people injured, over half of whom are children, women, and the elderly. At least a quarter of the injured are suffering from life-altering injuries, requiring long-term rehabilitation services (permanent disabilities). Additionally, more than 28,000 new disability cases have arisen due to direct injuries, bringing the total number of persons with disabilities to over 85,000, as per current estimates.
Reports highlight that persons with disabilities were among the least able to flee from air and ground attacks due to their limited mobility and reliance on assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and visual aids, many of which were destroyed or lost in the bombings. Furthermore, current shelters do not provide suitable conditions for this group, leaving them vulnerable and deprived of basic necessities, including food, medicine, and sanitation facilities.
A Call to Donors and Partners
The suffering of persons with disabilities in Gaza is not merely a humanitarian concern but a matter of human rights that demands the urgent mobilization of the international community. In light of these catastrophic humanitarian conditions, we call upon the international community, all international donors, local partners, and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to support persons with disabilities in Gaza. Immediate responses are needed to provide prosthetics and assistive devices, rebuild healthcare and specialized rehabilitation centers, and establish sustainable emergency programs to provide psychological support and promote their social and economic inclusion.
The Reality for Persons with Disabilities in Gaza
Severe Limb Loss and Disability Cases:
Over 12,000–15,000 cases of amputations have been recorded, including 5,000 children in urgent need of prosthetics and rehabilitation services.
Shortage of Health Services:
The Gaza Strip suffers from a lack of specialized centers for prosthetic manufacturing, with existing centers either partially or completely destroyed.
Rehabilitation services for severe cases have been significantly disrupted, and there is no specialized care for patients with complex injuries, putting their lives at serious risk. Immediate and long-term support is critically needed to meet the immense rehabilitation demands.
Acute Shortage of Assistive Devices:
The number of injured individuals requiring assistive devices far exceeds the available supplies in Gaza. Partners have reported that stocks of basic assistive equipment, such as wheelchairs and crutches, have been completely depleted.
The Ministry’s Efforts During the Devastating War
Throughout the devastating war, which lasted over 15 months, the Ministry was at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of citizens amid the dire conditions imposed by the war. We ensured the delivery of emergency relief in coordination with international partners, distributing food and medical aid to meet the basic needs of affected families. At the same time, we gave special attention to persons with disabilities, facilitating the transfer of some injured individuals to specialized centers outside the Gaza Strip to ensure they received the necessary healthcare.
Despite the destruction and blockade, we have made relentless efforts to sustain the provision of essential services to this vulnerable group, which suffers the most under such circumstances. Our support extended beyond material aid, as we also provided psychological and social counseling services, recognizing the importance of mental health support in helping victims cope with the war’s aftermath. Through continuous coordination with international organizations, we ensured that humanitarian aid reached those most in need, especially the most vulnerable groups.
The Ministry remains steadfast in defending human rights and providing support to all who require it, in close cooperation with international and local partners. We strive to alleviate the pain caused by the war and offer a glimmer of hope to those affected by this tragedy.
We affirm, as a Ministry, that supporting this most vulnerable group is both a humanitarian and moral obligation that cannot be delayed. We therefore urge everyone to unite and work together to alleviate the suffering of our people in Gaza and to ensure a dignified and secure life for persons with disabilities. The resilience of our people in Gaza is a source of inspiration for us all, and it is our duty to continue providing all forms of possible support.
Together, for Humanity and the Preservation of Dignity.