Gaza: Critical lack of rehabilitation services for injured will leave generation of people with permanent disabilities

• The high incidence of injuries and trauma for people in Gaza has exponentially increased the need for physical rehabilitation services
• At least one quarter of those injured – some 22,500 people – will require ongoing trauma rehabilitation and will be left with permanent disabilities
• Severe limb injuries (up to 17,500 people) are the main driver of rehabilitation needs
• Thousands of prosthetics, wheelchairs and other assistive devices are urgently needed but supplies are not getting into Gaza
• The only two Prosthetics and Orthotics workshops in Gaza have been destroyed, and Gaza’s only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre became non-functional in December 2023.
• Without safe humanitarian access, Humanity & Inclusion’s rehabilitation experts fear that massive numbers of people will be left with permanent disabilities.

After one year of brutal violence between Israel and Hamas, the situation for civilians in Gaza is more dire than ever. The heavy bombing of populated areas has taken a devastating toll on civilians, leaving a generation of people injured, maimed and with permanent disabilities. The World Health Organisation estimates that at least one-quarter of those injured – some 22,500 people – will require ongoing trauma rehabilitation and will be left with permanent disabilities. Humanity & Inclusion (HI) teams are on the ground in Gaza supporting people who have been left with life-changing injuries and those with existing disabilities. 

Immense rehabilitation and psychological needs

The high incidence of injuries and trauma for people in Gaza has exponentially increased the need for physical rehabilitation services. Severe limb injuries (affecting up to 17,500 people) the main driver of rehabilitation needs – with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and major burn injuries also significant contributors. Thousands of prosthetics and assistive devices are urgently needed at a time when the health system has completely collapsed.

“There will be a significant increase in the number of people with disabilities in Gaza. Even a seemingly minor injury or fracture, if it is not treated properly or becomes infected, could lead to complications and lifelong disabilities. This is very likely, given the terrible hygiene conditions in Gaza. Rehabilitation care is vital to preventing complications and ensuring the best possible recovery for survivors, yet the system is collapsing under pressure. Despite all the challenges, HI’s teams are still managing to provide essential care even with the very basic equipment available to us,” says Noor Bimbashi, HI’s Advocacy Officer for the Occupied Palestinian territories.

Rehabilitation and health services severely disrupted

Rehabilitation services in Gaza have been severely disrupted by the ongoing conflict, leaving the healthcare system unable to meet the surge in demand: 70% of in-patient hospitals are now non-functional due to fuel shortages.

The only two Prosthetics and Orthotics workshops in Gaza have been destroyed, and Gaza’s only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre became non-functional in December 2023. 

The situation is chaotic. All medical and rehabilitation teams in Gaza are overwhelmed by the situation and they lack the equipment and materials to treat patients properly. The number of people in need of mobility aids far exceeds what is currently available or in the pipeline. The WHO indicates that only 13% of needs for assistive products have been met. Prosthetics, wheelchairs and other assistive devices are not getting into Gaza, despite the best efforts of HI’s teams.

Without safe humanitarian access, HI’s rehabilitation experts fear that massive numbers of people will be left with permanent disabilities.

Children are particularly impacted by the violence in Gaza

In Gaza, children face a range of severe injuries due to the ongoing conflict and are in desperate need of rehabilitation and psychological support. Common types of injuries HI’s team see on the ground include blast injuries, gunshot wounds, burns, head injuries and psychological trauma.

In June, UNRWA estimated that up to 10 children were losing one or both of their legs each day. HI’s teams are supporting a number of children who have lost limbs.

"Some children think that their legs might grow back again. This is one of the saddest things that we hear on a regular basis, when talking to children. They tell us, we’re waiting for our legs to grow again. Sometimes, it’s difficult to explain that’s not going to happen,” says Noor Bimbashi.

Notes

Experts available for interview :

• Noor Bimbashi HI’s Advocacy Officer based in Jerusalem 
• Mara Bernasconi, HI's Advocacy and Policy Manager for Gaza and the West Bank based in Jordan 
• Zeina Salhani, HI's Operations Manager in Lebanon, based in Beirut

HI’s rehabilitation work in Gaza 

HI rehabilitation teams comprise 232 professionals who are working tirelessly in these extreme conditions to assist those in need of rehabilitation services. Between October 2023 and August 2024, HI organised 157,191 nursing care sessions (wound dressing), 169,761 physical therapy sessions, 57,692 occupational therapy sessions and 48,190 psychological first aid sessions. We also supplied 2,500 mobility aids, such as crutches and wheelchairs, and 8,076 non-food items, including wound dressing, first aid, hygiene and dignity kits

Urgent appeal for funds

Humanity & Inclusion has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to provide desperately needed support to the most vulnerable people in Gaza and the West Bank. 
Donations can be made: 

• online at: https://www.humanity-inclusion.org.uk/en/gaza-crisis 
• by SMS: Text GAZA to 70450 to donate £10. (Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message)
• by phone: 0330 555 0156