The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), in close collaboration with other institutions of the Romanian state and in coordination with the mechanisms established at the level of the European Union, participated on Wednesday in the emergency medical evacuation operation of six Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip, severely affected by the lack of access to adequate medical treatment, together with 15 family members.

„Considering the extremely difficult humanitarian and medical situation in the Gaza Strip, the overcrowding of hospitals in this area, as well as the fact that access to medical treatment is seriously affected by the security situation and the ongoing war, Romania offered its assistance and support for the six vulnerable patients,” reads a MAE press release sent to AGERPRES.

According to the MAE, Romania keeps its commitment to cooperate with local and international partners in an attempt to mitigate the effects of the humanitarian crisis on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Our country has been constantly engaged, since the beginning of the current crisis, in all humanitarian support efforts in Gaza, both in terms of sending assistance and humanitarian products, as well as in humanitarian evacuation efforts, the release informs.

The operation was carried out with the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the support of the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv, the Romanian Representative Office in Ramallah, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs – Department of Emergency Situations and the Ministry of Health, for all the activities of pick-up, transport in Romania, through the Romanian Air Force, accommodation and ensuring adequate treatment and care under safe conditions.

The complex operation was supported financially and operationally by the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Commission, in close coordination with the World Health Organization and the relevant local authorities.

After arriving in Romania, the six children and their families will benefit from the support of the competent Romanian institutions and some non-governmental organizations, which will provide the medical and psychological assistance necessary for their recovery, under safe conditions.

This is the second action of this kind carried out by Romania, after eight pediatric patients and 24 of their relatives were evacuated at the beginning of October.

AGERPRES