'Broken healthcare and disease in Gaza could kill more than conflict'

...this is the horrific reality in Gaza after 18 months of Israeli bombardment. According to the Red Cross, Gaza is now at risk of a complete medical shutdown. Hospitals are overwhelmed by the sick and wounded, with only 16 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remaining even partly functional. Stocks of medicines and medical supplies are running out before they can be replenished. Many are also housing thousands of displaced families. With the spread of disease rife due to disrupted sanitation systems and malnutrition, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is one of the charities providing vital support at a time of crisis.

It's hard to stand by and witness the suffering of Palestinian children and their families, so I have decided to take part in MAP's fundraiser, 'Stride for Palestinians'. I'll be walking each day for the next month in my local area of Newcastle, County Down, to cover 107km - the distance between the West Bank and Gaza - in the hope it will raise some cash to support MAP's life-saving work.

MAP has been working with Palestinian communities for more than forty years, delivering locally-led health and medical care to those worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement.

Thank you for your support!

Mairi McCurdy