Thanks to the generosity of people in our Diocese and further afield, the Bishop of Norwich’s appeal for the Anglican led Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza has now reached over £55,000.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher says: “I am grateful for the overwhelming generosity of people to the appeal for the Al-Ahli hospital. Back in October it was a place delivering care for the poorest or the poor. They specialised in care for children and women, including mammography services. It was a place of compassion and hope. All that has changed and the hospital can barely function. I cry out in despair.”
Speaking in the House of Lords on 8 February, Bishop Graham said, “There is an urgent need for medical staff, for fuel, for food for critical medical supplies such as bone stabilisers, antibiotics and anaesthetics across Gaza’s hospitals.”
He urged the Government to “hear the cries of medics in Gaza and press the State of Israel for the WHO to have sustained access to resupply hospitals across the Gaza Strip so that they can continue to function.”
In October 2023, Bishop Graham visited the hospital in Gaza with Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, and prayed with medical staff.
He was there as part of a pre-planned visit to Israel and Gaza. Days later, Hamas unleashed its deadly attack on Israel.
The Al-Ahli hospital is not affiliated with any political party. It is a Christian led hospital, run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and had been operating since 1882. Medical staff looked after all patients, regardless of ethnicity, religion or ability to pay. In peace time, the hospital treats more than 45,000 people each year.
Money raised from the appeal will go to supporting the urgent work of the Al-Ahli hospital, or if it stops functioning altogether, other medial support for the civilians of Gaza.
As of 8 February 2024, 150 patients remain critically ill in the hospital, without adequate medical supplies.
The Bishop of Norwich’s Al Ahli hospital appeal: The appeal has now closed as of February 1 2024, but there may be some fundraising activities still taking place across the Diocese. Therefore, the donation page will remain open for any planned fundraising events. Thank you for your generosity.
Contact: Elizabeth Humphries, Communications Manager for the Diocese of Norwich.
Elizabeth.humphries@dioceseofnorwich.org 07826 717370.
The Bishop of Norwich’s written speech to the House of Lords in full from 8 February 2024:
My Lords, on 4 October, I visited Gaza just three days before Hamas’ evil attacks to see the Anglican run 80 bed Al Ahli hospital.
The World Health Authority reported on Tuesday that there are 150 patients there. All are critically ill.
Everyone one is fearful, stressed and exhausted.
Medical staff have been detained, shackled and blindfolded by the IDF. On release, they are deposited in Rafah and not allowed to return to the hospital.
There is an urgent need for medical staff, for fuel, for food for critical medical supplies such as bone stabilisers, antibiotics and anaesthetics across Gaza’s hospitals.
Will His Majesty’s government hear the cries of medics in Gaza and press the State of Israel for the WHO to have sustained access to resupply hospitals across the Gaza Strip so that they can continue to function?