The U.K.-based nonprofit Medical Aid for Palestinians was founded 40 years ago with the mission to improve healthcare for all Palestinians. When conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas in the fall of 2023, CEO Melanie Ward knew her organization had to act. She believed that responding to such crises was the very reason her organization existed.
Quickly, Ward and her team sprang into action. They arranged for their warehouses in Gaza to begin distributing over $500,000 worth of medical supplies in anticipation of an Israeli response. In the weeks following, Medical Aid for Palestinians provided essential items like food, hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses, and about $7 million in medical supplies to the people of Gaza.
The organization also deployed six teams of international healthcare workers to assist local doctors in treating the large number of injured individuals in Gaza’s dwindling number of functioning hospitals. Thanks to its dedicated local staff, Medical Aid for Palestinians is one of the few international aid groups with a physical presence in the hardest-hit areas of northern Gaza.
In addition to these efforts, Ward plays a crucial role in managing the organization’s overall strategy while also ensuring that global leaders are informed about the gravity of the situation. She has briefed King Charles III, Members of the U.K. Parliament, and U.N. representatives on the ongoing crisis. Ward views bearing witness to the unfolding events as an essential part of her responsibilities.
Throughout this crisis, Medical Aid for Palestinians has demonstrated its commitment to providing vital assistance to those affected by conflict and advocating for peace and justice for all Palestinians.
As a journalist rewriting this article: I can say that Medical Aid for Palestinians has been established 40 years ago with a goal to improve healthcare for all Palestinians when conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas in 2023 fall; CEO Melanie Ward knew she had to step into action as she believed it was their duty due to their founding mission.
Soon after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th 2023; Ward along with her team took swift action by arranging their warehouses in Gaza began distributing over $500k worth of medical supplies anticipating an Israeli response.
In following weeks Medical Aid for Palestinians provided essential items like food hygiene kits blankets mattresses and about $7 million worth medical supplies were distributed among people affected by conflict.
Furthermore; they deployed six teams consisting of international healthcare workers who helped local doctors treat large numbers injured individuals at Gaza’s dwindling number functional hospitals thanks to their dedicated local staff they were one among few international aid groups with physical presence hardest hit areas northern Gaza.
Amongst all these efforts CEO Melanie played a vital role managing overall strategy while ensuring global leaders were informed about crisis gravity as she briefed King Charles III members UK parliament UNA representatives amongst others.
Throughout this crisis; Medical Aid For Palestine demonstrated its commitment providing crucial support affected by conflict advocating peace justice all Palestinian populations
