Recorded presentation

stephen J. Sosebee, PO Box 1926, The PCRF, PO Box 1926, Kent, OH 44240, 44240, steve@pcrf.net

Nearly 2 millions Palestinian children live under military occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Cultural, political, economic and social factors affect their access to adequate health care. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is an American NGO devoted to identifying and providing medical care for sick and injured children who cannot be adequately treated through local institutions. Many factors have had a detrimental effect on the health care of children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The main factors are both the political situation, and poverty. Providing specialized medical services for impoverished children under military occupation has many challenges. For over 10 years, the PCRF has been sending sick and injured Palestinian children abroad for specialized free surgery, and bringing volunteer surgical missions from the US and Europe to treat children in such areas as pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopedics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology and rehabilitation. The obstacles facing any NGO working under military occupation are often insurmountable. There are many ways to continue to have a positive effect on the welfare of children in the Middle East. Identifying their needs and the problems in providing them relief is the first step. This study seeks to provide a clear example of what humanitarian relief groups face working in a politically unstable environment in the Middle East a time of war, terrorism and military occupation, which directly affect children’s health and well being.

Learning Objectives:

• understand the political factors affecting relief work in Palestine;
• consider the social and cultural forces surrounding the issue of health care facing children;
• understand the positive results of providing humanitarian medical services at a time of war and occupation in the Middle East.

Related Web page: www.pcrf.net

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation