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Doctors Without Borders staff will recount the conflict, with one admitting it was “the most brutal thing I’ve ever seen in my career.”
Medical workers will tell of the suffering endured by civilians in an attempt to increase public pressure for a ceasefire and peace talks to permanently end the violence.
MSF staff, including Dr. Chris Hook, Dr. Jennifer Hulse and Jacob Burns, will speak about their experiences on the medical front lines in Gaza and Darfur, Sudan.
The three will also take part in a question-and-answer session to update the public on what is happening in the conflict and the carnage being inflicted on the most vulnerable people.
Dr. Hook has been working on the medical frontline in Gaza as medical staff are overwhelmed by the high number of casualties.
“The situation in Gaza is so brutal, and what the health workers in Gaza are doing is one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen,” Dr. Hook said.
“The violence has to stop. We need improved humanitarian access and more staff, medicines and supplies. People need more food, water, blankets, shelter, everything.
“They need to be able to return and rebuild their homes.
“The humanitarian situation is urgent and the medical consequences of this conflict will continue to be felt for years to come.
“What is happening in Gaza right now is, without a doubt, the most brutal thing I have ever seen in my career. It must stop immediately.”
After months of relentless bombing and destruction, most hospitals in Gaza have been repeatedly attacked, besieged and raided and are now out of service.
Air strikes and shelling of hospitals killed patients and medical staff.
MSF teams have been providing emergency surgery, wound treatment, medical and obstetric care in increasingly difficult circumstances in Gaza since October 7 last year, including at the two remaining main hospitals in Gaza – Nasser and Al-Aqsa.
Dr. Hook worked at Nasser Hospital and was shocked by what he witnessed.
“Many of the injured in Gaza suffered severe burns and serious fractures that will not heal properly and may require amputation,” he said.
“Even if these patients are able to return to their normal lives, many of them will still suffer from severe chronic pain and require extensive pain management.
“This would be a huge burden on even the most functional health care system, let alone one as stressed as Gaza’s.”
Dr. Hook added that he was moved by the courage of Gaza’s medical staff, who continued to carry out their duties despite the risks to their own safety and the suffering of their families.
Sudan has also faced horrific violence since war broke out last March.
The massive fighting has resulted in civilians being repeatedly attacked, abused and exploited. As in Gaza, medical personnel and facilities have also come under constant attack.
Dr. Hulse works with Médecins Sans Frontières at Nyala Hospital in South Darfur.
Before she arrived, the hospital had been so badly damaged in the fighting that it was barely functioning.
“In terms of numbers, the war in Sudan is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world right now,” Dr. Hulse said.
“Thousands have been killed or injured and more than 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes to escape the violence.
“The economy and health care system are collapsing, prices are skyrocketing, and many people cannot afford basic necessities.”
Doctors and staff from MSF will outline their experiences at a special event at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork on September 5 at 7pm.
Anyone interested in taking part can get more details from MSF.ie.
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