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 Hope
for Gaza Convoy
European
Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza ECESG
April 2009
Introduction:
It’s
now three years since Israel
imposed this tight and deadly siege on Gaza.
The brutal siege is devastating every aspect of life in Gaza. Thousands of families continue to suffer,
while many others are dying due to the lack of basic treatment and medical
equipment. There is a total collapse of the
health service as Israel
denies entry of medical supplies and equipments..
The
siege has also debilitated economic activity. Raw materials are denied as well
as spare parts for factories and workshops which have resulted in the total collapse
of the industrial sector. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands are made
unemployed .The basic infrastructure supplying water, power and sanitation is
in devastation making life unbearable
for the 1.5 million inhabitants, which further compounds the misery of
the people.
Commodities, food stuff and the movement of
people is partially blocked at all 7 crossings including Rafah. Supplies of
fuel and medical supplies which are also denied is critically low.
Lately
in 2008, an entire war was launched against the already besieged strip.
Accordingly, the suffering of Gazans exacerbated. Thousands were killed and
wounded. Thousands others turned displaced as they lost their houses and homes.
The war targeted all other sectors in which what was not harmed within the
siege; it was destroyed by the War. Many hospitals, medical clinics, theaters,
schools and civil defense stations were attacked.
Many International appeals and calls started to request an immediate end to the
blockade. However, nothing was achieved on the ground and people compounded
suffering.
Within
the three years of the siege, European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza,
(ECESG), contributed in many different ways to raise the awareness on both civic
and official levels to pressure on European governments to take direct
decisions to end the siege. ECESG worked closely on the ground to alleviate the
suffering of these people. It has sent many delegations and boats loaded with
much needed medicines and medical supplies.
As
part of its endless efforts, ECESG is working on sending a big land-sea convoy
from the European countries. The convoy would be launched early in May from
Milano in Italy during the 7th
annual conference of Palestinians living in Europe.
The
convoy aims at raising awareness about Gaza
and the suffering of its people. It will
include about 100 trucks and vans taking medical equipments for the newly
disabled people from the latest war. ECESG will donate many wheelchairs and
medical equipments. Toys and clothing will also be donated to the countless orphans
and poor. A glimpse of hope would be given to the disabled people who are no
longer able to have a normal life.
Many
doctors, medical consultants will take part in the convoy. They will perform essential
surgeries and further train Gazan doctors.
Goals:
- Provide essential relief to the health sector
by supplying medicines and medical equipments.
- Providing disabled people and victims of war
with special needs such as wheelchairs
as well as essential tools for
Palestinian society to support blind people.
- Raising awareness of the siege and extreme conditions
of the people in Gaza.
- Urging Arab governments to take steps to end Gaza siege.
- Showing solidarity with the people of Gaza.
- Organizing visits for convoy delegations
inside Gaza
with the hope to demonstrate the gravity of the situation on the ground..
Action
Plan
- The convoy is expected top leave Milan directly after the end of the 7th
conference of Palestinians living in Europe.
- A considerable number of actvists, officials
from Europe and MPs would take part.
- Participants wishing to join will drive their
vans from their countries to Milan.
- Vans and trucks to leave Milan
on the 3rd of May and sail from Genoa
towards Alexandria in Egypt.
- Drivers will leave for Alexandria
directly to drive their vans towards Gaza
within 3 days of ships departure.
- The convoy would leave for Rafah crossing from
Alexandria
- In coordination phase, vans must be checked to
make sure they are correctly prepared for movement from Egypt.
- ECESG will take care of full coordination.
Contact
Info:
Rami
Abdu
European
Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza
Manchester, United Kingdom
Convoy
Coordinator
Email:
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Mob:
00447728021097
www.savegaza.eu
Sameh A.
Habeeb
European
Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza
Convoy
Spokesman (Arabic and English Language)
London, United Kingdom
Email:
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Mob: 0044-
(0) 7949725139
Amin Abu
Rashed
Relief and Humanitarian
Affairs Coordinator
European
Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza
E-mail:
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Mob: 0031624628015
www.savegaza.eu
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