On July 30, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) evacuated 85 patients from Gaza to Abu Dhabi for specialized care, the largest medical evacuation since October 2023.
Patient Breakdown:
- 35 children and 50 adults
- 53 patients have cancer, including 4 children
- 20 have trauma injuries, and others have various conditions
Evacuation Process:
- Patients transferred from Gaza via Kerem Shalom to Ramon Airport in Israel
- WHO provided medical supplies, wheelchairs, food, water, and medical professionals
- Partners, including MSF and PRCS, supported the evacuation
WHO Response:
- Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director, thanked the UAE for the evacuation
- Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, called for more evacuations and a ceasefire
- WHO advocates for safe and sustained medical evacuations
Ongoing Needs:
- Over 10,000 people in Gaza still need medical evacuation
- WHO urges the international community to intensify efforts for organized medical evacuations. — Source: WHO