A severe heatwave in Gaza is intensifying the humanitarian crisis for over 1.7 million displaced Palestinians, already suffering from acute shortages of medical care, food, and basic supplies due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Medical workers report that the extreme temperatures are exacerbating the conditions of patients in overcrowded tent camps, making recovery difficult. Those with ongoing care needs, particularly burn victims, face unbearable heat and shortages of pain management. The heat hampers healing and increasing bacterial growth due to sweat complicates medical recovery efforts during this dire situation.
"The pain from the summer heat is unbearable. If it was the winter, I would not feel the pain, I could just sleep after taking my medication. Now I need a higher dose, but the hospitals don't have it."
"I feel extreme heat in my feet, sometimes I scratch them to the point of tearing my skin just to relieve the pain. The tent is incredibly hot, and as you can see, it barely fits me and my children."
"The summer heat delays burn healing, as the temperature worsens the injuries. We advise patients to avoid heat sources, but inside tents that's impossible."
"The heat and humidity cause sweat, that accelerates bacterial growth which delays recovery. We're doing our best with what we have, but with the border closures..."
Collection
[
|
...
]