The Northwest International Health Action Coalition, NIHAC, along with other
local human rights organizations sponsored "Under Siege: Health in Palestine"
presentation on Feb. 12th. The presentation focused on Amineh Ayyad's
experience working with the Union of Palestian Medical Relief Communities
(UPMRC) in Nablus. Nablus is one of the biggest cities in Palestine and just
north of Ramallah. Amineh was in Nablus when it was under complete 24-hour
curfew for the 4th month since the re-occupation of Palestine and during the 2nd
invasion of the city. She shared photos and clips from her footage and showed
examples of human rights violation faced by locals, internationals and various
medical teams. Clips gave a sense of people living under strict curfew and
siege.

There wasn't enough time to discuss action ideas which is typically part of
NIHAC presentations. But, here are some suggestions from Amineh in follow-up to
her presentation:

1)Support UPMRC and the health care system in Palestine by working or
volunteering for UPMRC.
International Volunteers:

General Volunteers
UPMRC has a great need for general international volunteers. Since the beginning
of the current Intifada in September 2000, Israel has implemented a strict
internal closure, isolating towns and villages throughout the West Bank and Gaza
Strip. Israeli checkpoints and fences generally make it impossible for people to
leave their villages, even to receive medical assistance. Because of the
complete restriction on movement, UPMRC's outreach activities, such as its
mobile clinics become vital in providing communities with the medical assistance
they need. However, mobile clinics and ambulances are also often prevented from
crossing checkpoints and entering villages. International volunteers provide an
important service in allowing mobile emergency teams to access villages and
areas cut off by Israeli siege. We have found that simply by riding along with
our mobile clinics and ambulances, international volunteers often allow our
emergency vehicles to access areas otherwise imposs!
ible to reach. If you are interested in being a general volunteer, please
contact Joyce.

Medical Volunteers
International medical volunteers have provided a great service for the
Palestinian people during the current Intifada. UPMRC works with foreign medical
volunteers who travel with UPMRC's mobile teams or work in our clinics providing
vital help for Palestinian communities. Any medical professional would be
extremely useful for us; however, we have a particular need for:

Pediatric Cardiologists
Pediatric Surgeons
ENT Specialists
Neurologists
Obstetricians and Gynecologists (female)
Rheumatologists/ Dermatologists
Cardiologists

2)Raise Awareness in the Media by writing a letter to the editor or an op-ed for
your local or national newspaper expressing your concern over the continued
violations of fundamental health rights in Palestine.

3)Stay Informed by visitng www.upmrc.org, www.hdip.org and
www.palestinemonitor.org, and by visiting the websites of other organizations
interested in Palestinian issues.

4)Support the Friends of UPMRC in its effort to raise awareness in the US about
the effects of curfew and closures on Palestinians' health.

5)Express support for initiatives which would work to ensure Palestinians their
basic rights, specially rights to health.

6)Call for the protection of Palestinian medical personnel and hospitals.

7)Protest Israel's violations of international humanitarian law by contacting
your government officials and the following Israeli officials:

The Offices of the Foreign Minister

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
HaKirya Romena, Jerusalem 91950
E-Mail: sar@...,
Tel: 0972-25303531/3631/530, Fax: 0972-25303506

Or the Minister of Interior

Ministry of Interior,
29 Salah al-Din Str, Jerusalem 91010, Israel.
Fax: 097226294750/ Tel: 097226294701

8)conduct research on the effects of the occupation, curfews, closures,... on
the health of Palestinians, specially the psychological effects on youth.

9) join me on a field trip to Palestine :)

Thank you all for your help and for giving me the opportunity to share my
experience.

Peace and much love, Amineh.
PS do not miss the Palestinian love comedy film Divine Intervention at the
Varsity Cinema (plays for 5 days starting this Friday). A must.


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