Evacuated nurse from Gaza narrates dire situation of burnt, amputated children
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In a harrowing account from a nurse evacuated from Gaza, the dire humanitarian situation in the war-torn enclave has been exposed, shedding light on the struggles faced by both medical teams and civilians amid the ongoing conflict.
Emily Callahan, a nursing activity manager with Doctors Without Borders, recounted her team's near-starvation experience due to a severe lack of food and water.
Speaking to CNN's Anderson Cooper, Callahan detailed the appalling conditions witnessed, particularly the plight of children with extensive burns from constant bombardment. These children, she said, were sent to refugee camps with limited access to water—just two hours every 12 hours—and inadequate sanitation facilities.
The overwhelmed hospitals in Gaza are discharging patients hastily, leaving children with fresh burns and wounds to navigate the challenging conditions of refugee camps. With more than 20,000 people cramped into the UN-run Khan Younis Training Centre, the space per person is alarmingly limited, measuring less than two square meters.
The dire situation has prompted concerns of a potential public health crisis, exacerbated by the damage to water and sanitation infrastructure. UNRWA reports that 70% of Gaza's population, exceeding two million, are enduring deplorable conditions in UN shelters.
Callahan revealed the desperate measures her team had to resort to, calling in favors and seeking help from friends for food and water. She emphasized that without external assistance, they faced the real risk of starvation.
Amidst the chaos, she commended the resilience of her team, who remained steadfast and calm while dealing with civilians in similar predicaments.
As the conflict in Gaza persists, the toll continues to rise, with over 10,000 casualties reported in Gaza and over 1,400 in Israel since Hamas initiated an assault on October 7. The situation remains dire, with the international community closely watching as efforts to address the humanitarian crisis intensify.
