Chronic Shortages
In all places where Anera works, good healthcare and access to vital medicines are a constant struggle for vulnerable patients and communities. In Palestine, restrictions on movement and imports, imposed by years of occupation, challenge the medical system to provide up-to-date care. Hospitals and clinics suffer chronic shortages of critical medicines to respond to their patients’ needs.
The blockade of Gaza since 2007 has also severely limited the import of critical humanitarian goods. Children and the elderly are most vulnerable to illness and chronic disease but often cannot get the medicines they need because of the shortage of supplies.
In Lebanon, the on-going economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic severely degraded the quality of healthcare for all. Lebanese communities and Palestinian and Syrian refugees alike face many challenges, from high unemployment and poor housing conditions to inadequate health and education services. Vulnerable host and refugee families in Lebanon are in ongoing need of humanitarian aid and medicines.
Delivering Medical Aid for More Than 50 Years
The medical relief program started in 1970, when Anera merged with American Middle East Rehabilitation, an organization founded to send relief donations to the region.
In the early years, Anera delivered one or two shipments annually, valued in the tens of thousands of dollars. Today, Anera distributes millions of dollars worth of medicines for chronic conditions, hospital equipment, wheelchairs, over-the-counter drugs, and health care supplies that would not otherwise be available in the communities where they are needed the most. Our deliveries support hospitals, clinics, schools, and community centers struggling to meet the needs of underprivileged families.
Decades of building relationships combined with intimate knowledge of international shipping logistics ensures that life-saving supplies are quickly put to use. Anera’s knowledgeable staff coordinate shipments through every step of the journey, so that no materials are wasted and partners receive what they really need – not what just happens to be available.
In 2022 alone, we delivered $76.6 million worth of medicines and medical supplies to healthcare facilities in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. We also delivered relief items like hygiene kits, school kits, quilts and shoes.
How It Works
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Get the Right Medicines
Circulate needs lists to medical supply donors and select proposed donations appropriately.
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Ship
Send donations by sea or air, expediting port and customs clearances.
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Distribute
Conduct inventory of shipment at Anera warehouse and distribute to local health facilities.
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Follow up
Do follow-up visits with health facilities for quality control and gathering new needs lists.
Anera is a proud member of PQMD, an alliance of nonprofit and corporate organizations committed to bringing measurable health impact to under-served and vulnerable people through active engagement with global partners and local communities.
