Preventing Amputations with Urgent Home Care in Gaza

Amna Care Fund is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, my name is Fatma Alghusain, I am the executive director of Amna Care Fund. I am a Palestinian from Gaza and currently based in Canada. I am a humanitarian officer who have always worked and supported the community, and today I am raising funds on behalf of Amna Care Fund to continue our local efforts to save and protect our people in this tragic time in our lifetime.

Every form of support whether by donating, sharing resources and spreading the word and awareness of the needs is deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

Our Story: Amana Care Fund

Amana Care Fund is a non-governmental nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people, with a special focus on women, children, and individuals with disabilities. Founded amidst the devastating genocide in Gaza, our mission is to raise funds and provide essential humanitarian and health relief assistance to those in need. We are committed to empowering individuals and communities by ensuring access to critical support and resources.

Our Leadership

The Amana Care Fund is led by Fatma Alghusain, who has over 25 years of experience in rehabilitation for the wounded and disabled in Gaza. Fatma’s deep connections with local organizations and communities give her a unique understanding of the needs of these groups, which is critical in providing effective and culturally appropriate care. Unlike external organizations that often lack local knowledge, Fatma’s leadership ensures that our efforts are rooted in the realities of Gaza’s people.

The Crisis in Gaza

Gaza is currently facing a catastrophic health crisis, with the highest number of limb amputations globally occurring here. Since October 7, 2023, the war has resulted in over 47,000 martyrs, including 10,406 women and 15,747 children. The infrastructure in Gaza has been extensively destroyed, including hospitals, schools, health centers, humanitarian organizations, homes, and roads.

All hospitals in Gaza are out of service due to targeted attacks, leading to a severe shortage of medical supplies, medicines, equipment, and staff. The number of disabled individuals, which was nearly 40,000 before the current genocide, is rising daily. Wounded individuals are being discharged from hospitals prematurely because the facilities can no longer accommodate the influx of patients. These individuals return to homes or temporary shelters - which are mainly tents, schools, or the streets - that are unsuitable for recovery, facing extreme heat and a lack of medical care, which often leads to infections, amputations, and death.

This crisis has exacerbated the long-standing challenges faced by Gaza's population, especially since the 2018 Great March of Return. During that time, the number of amputees in Gaza had already risen significantly due to injuries sustained in protests. The long-going siege has further restricted the entry of essential medical equipment, assessments, and devices crucial for supporting the community.

Why Amputations are Increasing

Severe Injuries from War-machines: The extreme violence from the Israeli military has resulted in numerous traumatic injuries from explosions and gunfire, often necessitating amputations to save lives even with the lack of anesthesia.
Rampant Infections: With the remaining poorly-functioning hospitals overwhelmed and sanitary conditions deteriorating, infections in untreated wounds are rampant. These infections often lead to amputations and, in many cases, death from blood poisoning.
Lack of Medical Supplies: The blockade has restricted the supplement of essential medical equipment and supplies, making it difficult to treat injuries effectively. This leads to higher rates of complications and amputations.

Daily, 10 to 12 cases of limb amputation occur in Gaza solely due to the inability to access necessary medical care. Thousands of disabled individuals urgently need medical services, including nursing care, psychological support, and assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches.

Challenges for Gaza’s Amputees

The combination of ongoing violence, inadequate healthcare, and the blockade has created a dire situation for amputees in Gaza. These challenges include:

Limited Access to Prosthetics and Rehabilitation: The blockade has severely restricted the import of prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation equipment, leaving many amputees without the means to regain mobility and independence.
Insufficient Medical Assessments: Continuous violence and infrastructure damage hinder proper medical assessments and follow-up care, which are crucial for preventing further health complications.
Psychological Impact: The trauma of losing limbs and the subsequent physical limitations have profound psychological effects on individuals, who have been already suffering the extreme traumas of the genocide, exacerbating the overall humanitarian crisis.

Immediate local and international intervention and support are crucial to address these urgent needs and deliver the essential medical aid and infrastructure required to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the ongoing suffering. And most importantly to put an end to the genocide of the people in Gaza.

Our Mission: Amana Care Fund’s Response

Under the leadership of Fatma Alghusain, Amana Care Fund is focused on delivering critical care to prevent amputations, especially among children. Our mission is centered on four key areas:

1- Essential Medical Care: Providing the necessary medical supplies and support to treat injuries effectively and prevent complications that can lead to amputations.

2- Nursing and Rehabilitation: Our trained nursing staff and rehabilitation experts offer comprehensive care and therapy to ensure patients receive the support they need for recovery.

3- Psychological Support: We offer psychological support to help individuals, especially children, cope with their experiences and rebuild their lives after traumatic injuries.

4- Assistive Devices: Supplying wheelchairs, crutches, and other assistive devices to enhance mobility and independence for those who have suffered limb loss or severe injuries.

Current and Upcoming Projects

1. Current Project: Home Care for the Injured and Disabled in Al-Nusirat and Al-Bureij:

Targeting 200 individuals with recent amputation cases who need nursing and physiotherapy.
Providing nursing and physiotherapy services directly to individuals in their shelters.
Training 200 families on wound care and physiotherapy exercises to support recovery.
Distributing medical bags to families to ensure they have the supplies needed to care for the injured.

This project is implemented in collaboration with the National Center of Community Rehabilitation in Al-Nusirat and Al-Bureij Camp, ensuring our efforts reach the most vulnerable and dismissed populations.

2. Upcoming Project: Expanding Home Care to Khanyounis:

Targeting another 200 individuals with recent injury and amputation cases in partnership with Almajed Society.

Providing medical care and psychological support through specialized teams who visit shelters.
Training 200 families to ensure comprehensive care for the injured, including wound care and physiotherapy exercises.
Distributing medical bags to support ongoing care and recovery.

Our Call to Action

We urgently call on you to help prevent further limb amputations among the wounded in Gaza, especially children. Your contributions will provide essential medical care, nursing, psychological support, and assistive devices to those in desperate need. By supporting our cause, you can help us deliver life-saving care directly to those who are suffering, alleviating their pain and preventing unnecessary amputations and deaths.

Join Us

Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those suffering in Gaza. Your donation will provide critical medical care and support to those who need it most. In collaboration with experienced local organizations and teams, the Amana Care Fund is uniquely positioned to deliver effective, urgent aid where it is most needed.

While the world has decided to conspire with military powers against civilians and shutdown the gate of survival and medical treatment for the citizens of Gaza leaving them to suffer and die from their wounds, ensuring that they face all kinds of deaths; we must unite globally and empower local efforts that work tirelessly to ensure the survival of those who remain, especially the children: the heroes of our war-time and the future of our people’s existence.

Join us in our mission to prevent amputations and save lives in Gaza.