Crisis in Gaza 2014: Anera Response Log

Thanks to a dedicated and generous community of donors, Anera’s Gaza staff was able to respond immediately to the bombings in Gaza.

Anera is one of the few international organizations that consistently gets health care and humanitarian relief supplies into Gaza. Since our Gaza office opened in 1984, Anera has built or renovated infrastructure, linked Gazan homes to drinkable water sources, provided jobs, and delivered medicines to hospitals. Our networks are extensive and our staff is deeply committed to helping their fellow Palestinians in Gaza.

This log will be updated regularly to provide an ongoing report back to donors on the ways Anera is responding during this current crisis.

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November 7-14, 2014 |Weekly summary

Provided 12,684,000 liters of tankered potable water to UN shelters and Musaddar and Abassan areas.  

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November 3-7, 2014 |Weekly summary

Distributed a shipment of assorted valuable medicine  to 18 hospitals and clinics across Gaza.

Delivered a shipment of Cerezyme & Myozyme to Al-Shifa hospital.

So far a total of nearly 11,000,000 liters of water tankered into Gaza.

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October 3-12, 2014 |Weekly summary

Staff had their first break since the war began. They stayed home for the Eid and spent time with their families.

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September 26-October 2, 2014 |Weekly summary

$7,000,000: total so far of what Anera has spent on relief and development programming in Gaza since the beginning of the war.

Identified a vendor for the clothing and shoe vouchers for women and children from the Shejaiya and Zaytoon neighborhoods. The distribution is planned for the week after Eid, mid-October.

Five tanker trucks delivered 605,000 liters of drinking water to 87 communal water tanks throughout Khan Younis, Jabalia, Bureij, Maghazi, the Middle Area, Zahra, Shejaiya and Zeitoun.

Provided 61,300 liters (total provided so far: 369,000 liters) of fuel to water desalination, wastewater treatment plants, water wells and pumping stations from the far north to the far south of Gaza.

Renovated the Al Tofulah Al Hadeetha Preschool in the Zaytoon area, giving traumatized preschoolers a happy, safe haven to spend their days.

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September 12-18, 2014 |Weekly summary

Delivered 13,970 vials of the antibiotic Ceftriaxone to Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s biggest surgical facility. This expensive, scarce medicine was purchased in the West Bank.

Five tanker trucks delivered, cumulatively over 21 days, 12,976,000 liters of drinking water to 87 communal water tanks throughout Khan Younis, Jabalia, Bureij, Maghazi, the Middle Area, Zahra, Shejaiya and Zeitoun.

Received in the warehouse an IHP-funded shipment, valued at $414,940, containing a variety of medicines for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and allergies.

Delivered 255,700 liters of fuel to water desalination, wastewater treatment plants, water wells and pumping stations from the far north to the far south of Gaza.

NOTE: Anera Gaza education, health and agriculture teams continue to conduct post-war damage assessments of Anera-supported facilities to determine the scope of the damage, the capacity to respond with materials available within Gaza, and longer-term rebuilding plans based on the availability of materials from outside of Gaza.

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September 5-11, 2014 |Weekly summary

Anera Gaza education, health and agriculture teams are conducting post-war damage assessments of Anera-supported facilities to determine the scope of the damage, the capacity to respond with materials available within Gaza, and longer-term rebuilding plans based on the availability of materials from outside of Gaza.

Distributed $548,000 worth of donated children’s antibiotics, allergy medicines and other medical supplies to 16 health facilities.

Received at our Gaza warehouse 13,970 vials of the antibiotic Ceftriaxone. This expensive, scarce medicine was purchased in the West Bank.

Five tanker trucks delivered, cumulatively, 9,807,000 liters of drinking water to 87 communal water tanks throughout Khan Younis, Jabalia, Bureij, Maghazi, the Middle Area, Zahra, Shejaiya and Zeitoun.

Delivered 115,700 liters of fuel to water desalination, wastewater treatment plants, water wells and pumping stations from the far north to the far south of Gaza.

Distributed 1,757 hygiene kits to displaced families at UN shelters in Gaza City, Kahn Younis, Rafah, and Middle Area.

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August 29-September 4, 2014 |Weekly summary

Distributed food parcels to 500 displaced families. With funds from individual donors, Anera has provided a total of 2,111 families with food parcels.

Five tanker trucks delivered 9,073,000 liters of drinking water to 87 communal water tanks throughout Khan Younis, Jabalia, Bureij, Maghazi, the Middle Area, and Zahra. This includes an additional 37 water tanks Anera set up in the Shejaiya and Zeitoun areas.

With USAID funds, delivered 115,700 liters of fuel to water desalination, wastewater treatment plants, water wells and pumping stations from the far north to the far south of Gaza.

Anera’s early childhood development team has been systematically doing damage assessments at more than 150 preschools across Gaza to plan for rehabilitation as soon as possible. Their findings so far show that approximately 60% of schools have sustained damage, some of which is severe. Schools are due to go back into session in mid-September.

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August 10-28, 2014 |Weekly summary

Five tanker trucks delivered 5,571,000 liters of drinkable water to 50 communal water tanks throughout Khan Younis, Jabalia, Bureij, Maghazi, the middle area, Zahra, Gaza City and Zeitoun.

Delivered 62,900 liters of fuel to desalination and wastewater treatment plants across all of Gaza, benefiting over a million people.

With USAID funds, cumulatively, Anera has delivered 429,732 liters of bottled water, 19,484 hygiene kits, and 13,680 liters of liquid soap to 40 UN shelters in Gaza City, Beit Lahia and Jabalia.

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August 9-21, 2014 |Weekly summary

Distributed food parcels to 1,250 displaced families.

Distributed dignity kits to 1,500 displaced women in coordination with five local partners.

Provided 7,000 liters of fuel to the Deir Al Balah water desalination plant, enough to keep it running for a week.

Five tanker trucks delivered 2,702,000 liters of drinkable water to 50 communal water tanks throughout Khan Younis, Jabalia, Bureij, Maghazi, the middle area, Zahra, and Gaza City.

Delivered 139,104 liters of bottled water and 2,240 hygiene kits to more than 4,000 displaced families in 13 UN shelters located in Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Gaza City.

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August 20, 2014 |Deliveries made despite resumption of hostilities

In the past 24 hours Anera brought three trucks into Gaza and distributed 13,440 bottles of water, 1,065 hygiene kits, and 720 containers of liquid soap (USAID-funded) to families in two UN shelters. Anera staff members coordinate and accompany these shipments on a daily basis to ensure they safely get to where they are most needed.

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August 8-14, 2014 |Weekly summary

Distributed 244,260 liters of water, 8,312 hygiene kits, and 6,480 liters of liquid soap to 12,506 displaced families in 32 UN shelters.

Purchased $100,000 worth of antibiotics, anesthetics and anti-coagulants in the West Bank and delivered them to Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Set up 50 large water tanks in central locations across Khan Younis, Jabalia, Maghazi and Bureij. Throughout the week, Anera sent over a million liters of water to continually refill the tanks. This is daily and ongoing.

Provided fuel to the Deir Al Balah water desalination plant to maintain power at the facility during this time of critically short water supplies. Anera has pledged to provide them with enough fuel to keep the plant running for two weeks.

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August 5, 2014 |Food parcels, hygiene kits and water distributed

Today was the first time in nearly a month that all 16 of Anera’s Gaza staff was able to go out and work safely. These are just a few of the things they accomplished:

• 1,600 displaced families in Beit Lahia and Gaza City received parcels with ready-to-eat foods
• 100,000-liter water tanker sent to Abassan to fill 10 tanks accessible to families in this hard-hit area of Khan Younis
• 1 truck of bottled water brought in from Jerusalam and distributed 840 displaced families at three UNRWA schools
• 2 trucks of hygiene kits brought in from Jerusalem and distributed to 9,600 displaced families at UNRWA schools

NOTE: Anera’s response log will be updated on a weekly basis. Next update will be August 14.###

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August 4, 2014 |Food parcels and water distributed

Anera distributed food parcels to 1,000 displaced families taking refuge at a Gaza church and a nearby school. The parcels include water and are filled with ready-to-eat items like hummus, meats, cheeses and tuna fish. These three delivery locations are not served by the UN and the needs are great.

Anera also brought in from Jerusalem two trucks of water and two trucks of hygiene kits, each containing soap, toothbrushes and other personal hygiene supplies. The items, purchased with USAID funds, were delivered to 1680 displaced families sheltering at 3 UN schools in Gaza City.

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August 3, 2014 |Hospitals pick up medicines, water is delivered to displaced families

Three hospitals came to the Anera warehouse in Gaza City today to pick up antibiotics, painkillers and surgical supplies donated by AmeriCares. With the influx of wounded, most health care facilities have depleted their supplies of these vital items. Anera is currently working to clear another shipment of antibiotics, penicillin, and syringes into Gaza.

A third truck of bottled water from Jerusalem was delivered to 840 displaced families at UN shelters in Gaza City.

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August 2, 2014 |Trucks with water arrive at shelters in Gaza

The first 2 of 35 trucks loaded with water bottles, purchased with USAID funds, have made it into Gaza. Anera immediately delivered the water to 1,680 displaced families at eight UN schools. Every truck that gets into Gaza is an accomplishment — the result of many hours of behind-the-scenes vetting of vendors, arranging logistics, determining the best shipping route within Gaza, and coordinating with the UN for safe passage.

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July 30-31 & August 1, 2014 |Water and hygiene kits procured 

Using USAID funds, Anera has purchased enough drinking water and hygiene kits for approximately 70,000 displaced people in UN shelters. The kits contain soap, toothbrushes and other personal hygiene items. This shipment is being sent from the West Bank and will be delivered in the coming days to the many families in Gaza who left their homes with nothing. They will bring a small, yet very important comfort to people who have lost everything. More of these distributions are planned for the coming days.

With intensified shelling in Gaza City, Anera staff of 16 cannot safely travel. They remain in their homes.

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July 29, 2014 |Dignity kits for women 

Anera is currently purchasing supplies for dignity kits to be distributed to 700 women displaced from their homes. The items, which come from local Gaza wholesalers, will be distributed in the coming days in coordination with local community organizations. The kits contain an abaya (robe), hijab (head scarf), flip-flops, underwear, hand wipes, sanitary napkins, a hand towel, and an assortment of toiletries.

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July 27-28, 2014 |Streets unsafe 

Staff stayed indoors, as streets are unsafe for travel. In the meantime, they are coordinating procurement of more relief items, like dignity kits for women and food parcels, and deliveries of medicines to health care facilities.

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July 26, 2014 |Antibiotics shipment gets through crossing into Gaza

Anera got a shipment of 24,366 vials of the antibiotic Ceftriaxon through the Karem Shalom crossing today. The medicine was purchased in the West Bank with funds from Anera donors. Anera staff took advantage of the 12-hour ceasefire and immediately delivered the life-saving medicine to Gaza’s largest hospital.

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July 25, 2014 |More food parcels purchased

With money that was donated over the past week, Anera’s staff in Gaza has been able to purchase 2,000 food parcels, containing:

• Hummus
• Foul
• Two types of cheese
• A variety of meats
• Jam
• Halva
• Date syrup
• Tuna fish
• Bottled water

Over the next two days, we will be distributing these parcels in Gaza City in locations where displaced families have been taking refuge.

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July 24, 2014 |New shipment cleared at port

A big shipment of medicines and medical supplies has just cleared through the border thanks to Anera’s West Bank team. This AmeriCares donation of antibiotics, penicillin, and syringes is valued at over $500,000. Clearing a shipment of this size during this difficult time is an important achievement. All the difficult logistical work done by our Gaza warehouse staff means we will have the space and capacity to receive and distribute this new shipment and more thereafter.

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July 23, 2014 |Antibiotics delivered to hospital

Anera delivered 5,500 vials of life-saving antibiotics to Gaza’s largest surgical hospital. Staff in Anera’s Gaza warehouse continue to organize and prepare a very large shipment of medicines and medical supplies for delivery to various hospitals and medical facilities.

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July 22, 2014 |Staff working at warehouse

Despite very dangerous conditions, Anera staff went to our Gaza City warehouse today and began readying cases of medicines and medical supplies for distribution to hospitals. Coordination also began on delivering thousands of vials of Ceftriaxone (an antibiotic in extremely short supply) to Gaza’s largest hospital. Unfortunately, the delivery has been delayed until tomorrow – the teams that Anera usually works with to distribute medicines are either overwhelmed or can’t risk the danger of going out on to the streets.

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July 21, 2014 |Food parcels going to the south

Gaza staff dispatched food parcels for 500 families in the Khan Younis and Rafah areas. Anera used recent donations to purchase the desperately needed parcels at the end of last week.

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July 19-20, 2014 |With streets unsafe for any travel, staff remain in their homes

Staff were asked to stay indoors as streets remain unsafe during the ground invasion. There are 500 boxes of food and 600 boxes of medicines and medical supplies in our Gaza warehouse ready for immediate distribution as soon as conditions allow it. So far the “humanitarian pauses” in violence have been too short to carry out any form of delivery.

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Friday, July 18, 2014 |Anera staff have been asked to stay home

A number of our Gaza staff were intent on going to the Anera warehouse to continue preparing 600 boxes of medicines and medical supplies for distribution. However, because of increased danger from the recent ground invasion, they were asked to stay off the streets today.

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Thursday, July 17, 2014 |Antibiotics receive Ministry of Health approval

Anera got immediate approval from the Ministry of Health in Ramallah to purchase 29,866 vials of Ceftrixone from the West Bank for delivery into Gaza. This is a life-saving antibiotic used during emergency surgeries that is virtually unavailable in Gaza. Staff in Gaza, who have not taken a break since the bombing began, took advantage of the 6-hour ceasefire to rest and buy supplies for their families.

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Wednesday, July 16, 2014 |Purchasing antibiotics, food parcels and hygiene kits

Donations in recent days have allowed Anera to make an immediate purchase of antibiotics, food parcels and hygiene kits. Our West Bank staff are coordinating the procurement of these items. We also have a large AmeriCares shipment (valued at $545,000) of medicines and surgical supplies that has been cleared and is ready to enter Gaza. In the meantime, our Gaza staff continues to coordinate distribution of medicines already in our Gaza City warehouse.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2014 |Preparing for another large distribution of medical supplies

Anera staff is hard at work in our Gaza warehouse preparing and organizing a large quantity of donated health care supplies and medicines for distribution to hospitals throughout Gaza. Most hospitals have dangerously low stocks of antibiotics and painkillers, which account for a large portion of these supplies.

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Monday, July 14, 2014 | Medicines to Gaza’s largest hospital, food parcel distribution complete

Anera provided Gaza’s biggest hospital with a large quantity of medicines and medical supplies. Hospital staff tell us that their most urgently needed medicines are antibiotics for post surgery treatment – thankfully antibiotics are part of our next distribution which is being prepared and organized in our Gaza warehouse today. At this point all Ramadan food parcels have been distributed to families throughout Gaza.

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Sunday, July 13, 2014 | Large shipment of medicines and medical supplies received in warehouse

Braving very dangerous conditions, Anera’s staff received in our Gaza City warehouse a large shipment of emergency health care supplies including gauze, syringes, surgical gloves, sutures, bandages and medicines. Donated by AmeriCares and valued at $1,394,000, the supplies are quickly being readied for distribution to hospitals with dangerously depleted stocks.

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Saturday, July 12, 2014 | Ramadan food parcels distributed

From Anera’s Gaza office director, Nahed Al-Wehaidi: “I have just arrived home safely after having given out all the food parcels to our local partners in Deir Balah, Gaza city, and Beit Lahia. Our Deir Balah partner started the distribution to families as soon as I arrived, as the situation is getting worst there in terms of safety/security. The other 2 partners will start the distribution tomorrow.”

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Friday, July 11, 2014 | Preparing Ramadan food parcels

Hundreds of Ramadan food parcels are being prepared by Anera staff in Gaza. Each package contains a variety of essentials like tahini, tuna, sugar, tea, macaroni, lentils and other beans, tomato paste, rice, juice, cheese, and cooking oil. All of the food was purchased locally. Distribution is set to begin tomorrow after a delay due to the current violence.

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Thursday, July 10, 2014 | Distribution of urgent medicines

Ambulances arrived at Anera’s warehouse on Thursday and were loaded with urgently needed medicines such as antibiotics and painkillers for treating the huge influx of wounded people. The medicines, donated by Direct Relief and valued at $1,444,000, were delivered to 6 hospitals and clinics around Gaza. This is one of the first deliveries of medicines to health care facilities in Gaza during the current crisis.