My name is Hayley Sophocleous and anyone that knows me knows how dear the city of Nablus is to my heart. This is a community that welcomed me with open arms and embraced me as one of their own. My dearest friends reside in Balata camp where I spent much of my time and ate some of the best food!

While the world's eyes are focused on Gaza, violence and upheaval in the West Bank is increasing at alarming levels. Many residents of Balata were already living in poverty before October 7th. Since then, Balata has seen many incursions from the IOF, shelling of residential homes, shooting of residents and massive restrictions on movement. Restrictions mean residents cannot work. Without work they cannot pay for much-needed medical care. This impacts women, children and the elderly most severely.

In true Nablusi spirit, Muhammad and his family have taken it upon themselves to set up a free clinic to support the community. Jaffa Medical Centre will be run by the wonderful Dr Khaled Hashash, Director at Rafidia Surgical Hospital in Nablus. The main aim is to provide free medical and pharmaceutical care to 5-6000 vulnerable residents a month and will specialise in emergency, women, and children's care as well as servicing the elderly and unemployed.

To get set up the clinic desperately needs basic equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, medical scales, needles, radiology equipment, blood oxygen monitors, glucose meters and much more. The clinic will source this equipment from Al-Hadaf, a local company that specialises in the supply of medical equipment.

I cannot put into words how much this clinic will mean to the local community. While staying there I saw first-hand the lack of access to healthcare and the impact this has on the community. This is a community so full of love, a community that embraced me as one of their own. That gave me a place to stay, 3 meals a day, endless love and laughter without ever asking for anything in return. When situations escalated, they put their own lives on the line to save mine. Now it is my turn to support them. Please help me in returning the favour and bring free medical care to those that need it most.

Thank you to everyone who supports and Free Palestine!