Summary: CHF 492,243 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 17 November, 2012 to support the national society in delivering assistance to some 29,000 beneficiaries.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) provided immediate emergency medical services support to the victims of the 8 days Gaza crisis, distributed emergency items based on the needs identified, purchased medical disposable to replenish its stocks, and launched an emergency appeal to widen its support in the aftermath of the intensive war. All planned activities were implemented except for the supply of communication equipment, which has not been received yet due to lengthy process and the restrictions to such items. 240 volunteers as well as the PRCS staff of the EMS and the Hospitals were mobilized during the 8 days of heavy bombardments and shelling to save lives and provide emergency services to the victims of the conflict.
This DREF allocation has been replenished by the Netherlands Red Cross who contributed CHF 51,319 and the Belgian Government through the Belgian Red Cross contributed CHF 22,143. The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the USA, as well as DG ECHO, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) the Medtronic, Z Zurich and Coca Cola Foundations and other corporate and private donors.
The IFRC, on behalf of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), would like to extend thanks to all partners for their generous contributions.