"Some children think that their legs might grow again. Sometimes it's difficult to explain that that's not going to happen." - Noor, Humanity & Inclusion staff member

In January of this year, HI opened the Nahla Prosthetics & Orthotics Center in Khan Younis, which provides temporary prosthetic devices for individuals in need. It was named after our late colleague Nahla, who was tragically killed along with her children in December 2023 while seeking shelter in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp. 

Recently, we received an evacuation order from Israeli forces, forcing the closure of the prothesis & orthosis center. But despite ongoing barriers, our teams refuse to give up. We have relocated these crucial services, setting up tents to serve those in need. On any given day, our rehabilitation specialists treat an average of three or four people a day, all of whom have been injuried by airstrikes and bombings. Our teams are also exploring solutions to ensure continuous access for patients, including bus transport and mobile fittings if security allows.

"We continue to conduct our operations under tremendous pressure and difficulties," explains Sharaf Al Faqawi, HI's Gaza Area Manager. "We are physically and mentally exhausted, we are exposed to the same violence and trauma as the people we serve, but we remain committed to our mission. We do what we can when we can."

This work is extremely vital. Civilians are being caught in the crossfire with nowhere safe left to go. Over a year and a half of relentless bombing and shelling will leave an entire generation of people injured, maimed and with permanent disabilities. In fact, Gaza is now disproportionately home to people with amputations.

We recently caught up with our colleague, Heba, a mother of two young daughters, who works as a Prosthetics Specialist in Gaza. Every day, she balances her humanitarian work, her family, and the constant danger that surrounds her. "When I’m at work, I’m always thinking about my family," shared Heba. "But knowing I have a purpose, and that people depend on me, gives me the strength to carry on."

Humanity & Inclusion's local teams have been working in Gaza since 1996, and are still on the ground responding to this humanitarian crisis. Humanity & Inclusion works in many ways to help people with disabilities, but what makes us unique is our work with prosthetics and orthotics. It’s actually the reason we were founded in 1982 – to fit Cambodia refugees injured by landmines with prosthetics made of bamboo and leather straps. And that work continues today.

With health facilities under attack and humanitarian needs growing by the day, your support is needed now more than ever.​​​​​​​