Border Closures Threaten Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Gaza’s border crossings remain shuttered after abruptly closing on Sunday, March 2nd—the start of Ramadan. The closures have now persisted for nearly two weeks, creating increasingly dire conditions for Gaza’s two million residents who depend on shipments of food, medicine, and other aid for survival. Project HOPE warns that if the closures continue, delayed shipments of critically needed medicine, medical equipment, and hygiene materials could lead to pregnancy complications, the spread of waterborne diseases, and preventable deaths.
Currently, Project HOPE has hygiene supplies, medicine, and medical equipment stuck in warehouses awaiting entry into Gaza. The supplies will support over 60,000 people. Project HOPE is reiterating its call for a sustained ceasefire and urging all parties to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to all parts of Gaza with the immediate reopening of all border crossings.
Ahmad Salah, Security Coordinator for Project HOPE in Gaza:
“Before the border crossings were abruptly closed, it was difficult to access food, clean water, and healthcare. Now, it’s impossible. Health facilities are not equipped to handle the influx of patients, especially if violence escalates again. Even minor injuries could become life-threatening. The timing during Ramadan, when families traditionally gather to break fast together, makes this situation especially devastating as we lack the most basic necessities while we observe this holy month.”
Musllam Abu Khalil, Health Technical Lead for Project HOPE in Gaza, said:
“We have been waiting for the arrival of three ultrasound machines for weeks. We estimate that up to 20% of pregnant patients receiving care at our clinics cannot access necessary diagnostic services due to the limited availability of ultrasound devices. This could result in delayed diagnosis of serious complications such as placenta previa or low birth weight, leading to increased maternal mortality and infant morbidity and mortality rates. This coupled with the lack of iron supplements to combat high rates of anemia is extremely troubling. The border closures are directly endangering the lives of mothers and children. We urgently need these crossings reopened.”
Amjad Abed, WASH Technical Lead for Project HOPE in Gaza, said:
“We have 35,000 hygiene kits—containing basic supplies like soap and sanitizer—stranded outside Gaza while children are developing skin infections like scabies that could have been prevented. I’ve seen large, multi-generational families share a single bar of soap because there simply isn’t more available. Without these supplies, we anticipate waterborne diseases will also increase in displacement camps where hundreds of people share the same bathrooms and showers.”
Project HOPE has responded to the vast health needs in Gaza since December 2023, including operating multiple health clinics in Gaza and providing vital health services including primary care, maternal health, and specialty surgical and emergency care. The organization has deployed midwives across north and south Gaza to deliver critical maternal care, particularly in the north at Al Sahaba Maternity Hospital and provided psychosocial support and gender-based violence awareness activities at camps housing displaced families. Additionally, Project HOPE has established a supply chain that has delivered over 21,000 pounds of medical supplies to Gaza, while providing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support for shelters and clinics.
For Media Inquiries: Contact bjustus@projecthope.org (WhatsApp: +1 503-764-7864) or media@projecthope.org
