Diocesan News
Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza ‘overwhelmed’
Dublin & Glendalough appeal enters final week
With one week left to run, the fundraising appeal for Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza city has received fantastic support with €8,000 donated so far. The appeal is being organised by Dublin & Glendalough Council for Mission and concludes on Friday next, June 11, and the fundraising target is €10,000. Donations can be made securely via the Christ Church Cathedral website.
Over three weeks from May 24 to June 11, nine people have undertaken to walk (or in one case rollerblade) 100km – the distance from Gaza city to Jerusalem – to raise funds and awareness. Those who have taken to the highways and byways include: Diocesan Lay Reader David Reynolds, along with other parishioners of Bray; the Revd Abigail Sines, Dean’s Vicar, Christ Church Cathedral; Lydia Monds, Bishops’ Appeal; Canon Peter Campion, Chaplain, King’s Hospital School (who is rollerblading); the Revd Martin O’Connor, Clondalkin and Rathcoole Parishes; the Revd Stephen Farrell, Rector, Zion Parish; the Revd Nigel Pierpoint, Curate, Taney Parish; the Revd Sean Hanily, Rector, Rathmichael Parish; and Canon Adrienne Galligan, Rector, Rathfarnham Parish.
Al Ahli Arab Hospital is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem with whom Dublin & Glendalough has had a link for the past six years. Although Anglicans make up a minute proportion of the population in Gaza, Al Ahli Arab Hospital serves all people of Gaza city, no matter what their religion, gender, social or political background.
Individual Giving and Campaign’s Manager with USPG, Janine Goddard, has given an update on the situation in Gaza and on the current situation in Al Ahli Hospital having received news from their programme manager in the region in recent days. She said there is still a huge need for funds for Al Ahli Hospital.
Like all medical institutions in the region, Al Ahli is overwhelmed, she said adding that it is receiving many women and children who are both injured and traumatised. As of last week, people were still being pulled from the rubble of bombed buildings seriously injured, dehydrated and traumatised.
The power has been cut so the hospital is relying on generators to run and desperately needs funds to fuel the generators. Currently only UN organisations are permitted to enter Gaza, so aid is unable to get through, according to the programme manager.
Al Ahli hospital is situated inside Gaza so is well placed to provide much needed support. The hospital is undertaking emergency surgery for those injured in the bombing, trauma counselling and care. The hospital is also feeding local people, providing basic food and sanitation to those who have lost their homes and families in this crisis.
USPG’s programme manager in the region reports that the situation is still a very dangerous and people are afraid to go outside where there is rioting between extremist groups.
All the money donated will be channelled directly to the Diocese of Jerusalem for Al Ahli Hospital. To donate, see the cathedral website: https://christchurchcathedral.ie/al-ahli
If you want to sponsor a specific walker there is an opportunity to state that once you have selected the amount you wish to donate. Some of the walkers have provided video updates on their progress which you can watch on the diocesan YouTube channel.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
087 235 6472
Mrs Lynn Glanville
dcodublin@gmail.com