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February 8, 2024 - Despite all challenges, including damage to the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre’s new rehabilitation unit at Ahli Arab Hospital, the JPBC team remains unwavering in their commitment to serve children and families. They have found a way to actively support two displaced JPBC staff members currently sheltering in Gaza, who are both delivering essential emergency rehabilitation and psychosocial services to the vulnerable children seeking refuge among them.
Occupational Therapist Al-Zahraa is stationed at a shelter in Rafah, where 600 families reside in restricted quarters. Social Worker Musa operates from a shelter in Gaza City, where approximately 650 Palestinian Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have taken refuge since the war's onset.
Under the guidance of JPBC’s Medical Director in Jerusalem, Dr. Waddah, the JPBC rehabilitation team uses a screening tool to assess children with disabilities residing in these two shelters. They have also established a regular means of communication between staff in Jerusalem and in Gaza to exchange information on patient records and coordinate optimal care. Their objective: assist their Gazan staff in prioritizing and delivering services most efficiently given the extraordinarily challenging circumstances and conditions.
Al-Zahraa has completed 34 face-to-face interviews, and is now providing ongoing emergency support and guidance for assessment and treatment of children with various disabilities and recent war-related injuries. She has underscored the critical need for medicine, wheelchairs, and prosthetic limbs.
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