Organisations plan a series of fund-raisers to buy ambulances for Gaza
FOUR South African organisations have come together to create awareness and generate assistance for Gaza’s beleaguered health sector.
Channel Islam International (Cii), the Islamic Medical Association, Minara Chamber of Commerce and Palestine Solidarity Forum have planned a series of fundraising events in Durban, Joburg and Cape Town to buy ambulances for Gaza.
The Gaza Ambulance Drive will feature public addresses by Norwegian medical practitioner Dr Mads Gilbert, who served in the Al Shifa Hospital during ferocious bombing in the Gaza Strip over the past month.
“The objective of the event is to illustrate, educate and use the opportunity to raise funds specifically for purchasing ambulances in Gaza,” said Azhar Vadi, co-ordinator of Cii Projects. “His talks will set out his experiences of the ongoing conflict in Palestinian territory. At great danger to himself, he continued to render much-needed medical care, even when missiles were fired at the hospital.”
Vadi said it would give South Africans an opportunity to interact with the high-profile medical practitioner.
Lubna Nadvi, KZN Palestine Solidarity Forum representative, said the infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed by the Israeli attacks and ambulances needed.
“Ambulances are critical as Israel (particularly) targets medical infrastructure and services. (This means) people injured in the attacks cannot get to a hospital in time or have access to lifesaving equipment.
“This is clearly a deliberate ploy of the Israelis to ensure civilians die, although they could have been saved if they had access to medical support in the form of ambu-
are lances, medicine and emergency surgery,” she said.
Nadvi said that with the help of various organisations and the public through fund-raising, emergency vehicles could be bought to help the people of Gaza.
“South Africans can also contribute to humanitarian relief efforts and donate to organisations such as Al Imdaad Foundation, Islamic Relief, Gift of the Givers and other aid organisations, all of which are on the ground in Gaza, trying to provide the urgent relief needed by the people,” said Nadvi.
Solly Suleman, president of the Minara Chamber of Commerce and chairman of The Islamic Medical Association Clinics Committee, said the organisations decided to join the project because of the goings-on in Gaza and the selflessness of Gilbert.
“He risked his life saving others – not many people would do that. He’s a true humanitarian. It is a good cause and since we had already been collecting money, we decided to join. Ambulances are one of the main targets in Gaza and many people die because they can’t get to a medical facility on time. Hopefully we can make a difference,” he said.
The fund-raiser will take place at 6pm on August 27 at the NMJ Islamic Centre, Durban, at a cost of R300 each, including dinner. For more information, contact Suraiya Vaizie at 031 208 2529.