NZ Freephone DSPR - MECC February Update 2025
An Update from our partner – Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) – Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
“The ceasefire was met with great relief and joy, for we prayed continuously and urged all our friends and partners to work for this achievement. Yet as people returned to their homes, they were confronted with the overwhelming devastation. Entire neighborhoods had been erased, and what were once broken homes filled with memories and love were now piles of rubble. But it’s obvious that the spirit of the people remains unbroken. They returned, and many could be seen clearing the rubble and remains of their homes, seeking to set up even the simplest shelter, a tent to call home amid the ruins.”
In Rafah DSPR has reopened their primary health center, which had been forced to close during the invasion to Rafah. Thankfully the building was not destroyed. though it requires repairs, medical equipment and medicine. The medical team some of whom had been displaced was reorganized and services have resumed.
Despite hardships operations were also continued at the clinic in Nusrat in the central area of the Gaza strip, staff distribution was adjusted to continue serving the community.
The temporary medical point established in Gaza city after the destruction of the clinics in Shejaiya and Daraj remains active.
Restoration work is also underway at DSPR’s main building in Gaza city, this will enable the two primary healthcare centers to reopen.
Alongside healthcare, DSPR teams have been actively distrusting water, nutrients and providing psychological first aid to those returning from the south to northern Gaza.
Despite the ceasefire, Churches continue to house around 570 displaced Palestinian Christians, as their homes have been destroyed or lack of essential utilities like water and electricity. The Churches have access to water, communal kitchens and a safe place to sleep.
DSPR continues to support marginalized families through small-scale relief projects, focusing on food security and subsidized health services to ease their hardships.
Send help and hope to the Middle East
On October 7, Hamas launched a major rocket and a series of ground attacks on neighbouring Israel. Israel responded with a series of air strikes and a declaration of war on the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Schools, healthcare facilities, telecommunication infrastructure, businesses and many homes. Israel has closed all borders and has tightly controlled the delivery of aid supplies. Hostilities have been increasing in the West Bank and Jerusalem. UNOCHA reported about one million people were displaced from Rafah by the end of May and that humanitarian supplies will not meet the soaring needs.
The need for a permanent ceasefire and adequate humanitarian supplies is urgent.
Please donate what you can today.
“The people of Gaza are living in harrowing conditions with limited resources, and we cannot stand idly by while they suffer… Our collective efforts can make a significant difference in the lives of those trapped in this nightmarish situation.”
DSPR.
Our Response
Donations to the Middle East Emergency Appeal will support our local partner the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) to meet people’s urgent needs.
DSPR is providing:
- medical services
- psychosocial support
- food items
- cash transfers
- support to people sheltering in the Catholic and Greek Orthodox church buildings.
DSPR ran three health clinics: Darraj, Shijaia and Rafah in Gaza. In May it rented a minivan to serve as a Mobile Health Clinic after the Rafah Clinic was forced to close. Rooms in DSPR’s vocational training centre in Shijaia have been repaired to provide medical care and psychosocial support to people in the neighbourhood. It is planning to open another medical point at its Darraj offices as soon as the people sheltering in them can find alternative accommodation.
ACT Alliance is responding.
