While many wounded people still require urgent medical care, psychological and social assistance is also a priority for the population of Gaza.
“With no safe place to hide and no means of escape during the fighting, the whole population has been exposed to intense insecurity,” explains Angels Mairal, coordinator of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) psychosocial programmes set up in 2000. “Nightmares, insomnia, weight loss, irritability, poor concentration, hypervigilance, pathological signs like headaches and stomach pains can all occur after such a period of high level of stress.”
It’s too early to evaluate the psychological impact of the bombings and fighting and for the moment the psychological reactions are normal after what the population has endured. But if symptoms like these persist for more than one month, they can be considered symptomatic of post traumatic stress disorder or other psychological disorders.
An MSF psychiatrist has joined the two MSF clinical psychologists already in Gaza, who are focusing on meeting the emergency needs of people exposed to the recent fighting. The team will also continue to provide therapy for its 36 regular patients.
“They didn’t ask for help during the fighting,” says Mairal. “All they were thinking about was how to survive. They were asking for practical advice, like where’s the safest place in the house for our children. Another priority now is to cover these people’s basic needs. Our social workers are helping those whose houses were destroyed find somewhere to live; and referring people to organizations who can provide relevant assistance.”
Children, as often in these situations, are the most vulnerable. “They face a double impact. They are directly affected, like everyone, but at the same time, their parents are now less able to provide the support they need. Even when the violence isn’t intense, the economic and political instability make it difficult for parents to provide their children with a sense of security,” Mairal adds.
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MSF has been working in the Gaza Strip since 1989. The current MSF surgical team consists of 25 staff, including three surgeons, two anesthetists, one occupational therapist nurse, six nurses, and 13 support staff. The entire MSF team in Gaza currently consists of 96 Palestinian staff and 14 international staff. Regular programmes include post-operative care, physical therapy, paediatric services, and psychosocial/medical support.