THEand humanitarian challenges don’t stop during the holidays. The organization Doctors Without Borders, in fact, he tirelessly continues his commitment on the hottest war and emergency fronts humanitarian, such as Ukraine, Palestine and Lebanon. Its 65 thousand humanitarian workers, 57% of whom are women, are not returning home for the holidays. On the contrary. We have collected the testimony of some humanitarian workers, currently engaged in MSF missions: contexts in which the Christmas lights are not turned on, and where everyday life is overwhelmed by suffering and devastation.
It’s Christmas even in war places. The story of Monica Minardi, medical director in Lebanon
«Emergencies know no holidays, we needed a doctor to lend a hand in our al project Turkish Hospital to Saida and I didn’t think about it for a moment. Let’s say it is part of our working life, in every corner of the world. Surely this involves a sacrifice towards my family, but Being able to help others is not only a service, but a privilege» thus Monica Minardi, president of Doctors Without Borders Italy, currently in Lebanon as medical director, explains the strong motivation with which, on 13 Decemberlanded in Lebanon, leaving her husband and daughters in Imola.
A ceasefire has been in place in the country since November 27, but the devastating consequences of Israeli attacks are evident. «There were attacks on health facilities, 226 health workers and patients were killed. Access to care is increasingly difficult, the healthcare system is privatized and there is a lack of specialized drugs and doctors” adds Minardi. Among other things, the ceasefire agreement has been violated and, in recent days, almost daily attacks have been reported which have caused further deaths and injuries.
«We try to create a sense of closeness and community with patients and colleagues»
It is clear that, in such a climate, one cannot breathe the serenity of the Christmas atmosphere. But we do what we can. In the hospital, the Christmas trees were decorated and some decorations were put up. Not only that. «We try to create a sense of closeness and community with patients and colleagues. Without borders. Respecting each person’s beliefs, we create moments to be together through food” explains the doctor.
Blast wounds, infections and already advanced complications, but also primary care for patients with diabetes, hypertension and psychological stress: these are just some of the problems that, on a daily basis, the MSF team is trying to address it through the 12 mobile clinics in action in various regions of the country.
The commitment of Doctors Without Borders
«We also distributed hot meals, blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits to people who, forced to abandon their homes due to the conflict, were in precarious conditions. We are trying to increase the capacity to accommodate patients with traumatic injuries and burns. As much as possible, we protect the treatment space» comments Minardi, giving voice to the desire for peace of the Lebanese population. The hope is that, at least during the holidays, bombs will not fall on healthcare and civilian facilities.
Irene Fortin, head of the nursing team in Gaza
Peace seems like a mirage even in Gaza, where Irene Fortin, head of the nursing team at Nasser Hospital, has been working for almost two months. «A crisis of this magnitude comes before any celebration. Patients can’t wait for Christmas to end, humanitarian support does not stop during the holidays, as in any hospital in Italy” he declares, revealing the struggle to survive among collapsed buildings and desolation.
As the MSF operator is keen to underline, the meaning of the word “normality” is no longer known: people wander through streets full of debris, with no home to return to. Despite the freezing temperatures, children play in the streets, often without shoes, or collect water at distribution pointsstruggling to carry the weight of around 30 liter canisters.
Normality has become a mirage
These days, in addition to the assistance guaranteed in health facilities, the attention of the MSF team is aimed above all at the little ones. «The population is mainly Muslimdoes not celebrate Christmas. It is very difficult to explain to Palestinian children why, while in the rest of the world their peers are celebrating with sweets and gifts, they have to fight to find food or a warm and safe place.» says Fortin.
To give a semblance of normality, they organize games, puppet shows and group activitiesboth in hospitals and in primary health centers, through which children can express their feelings and smile, forgetting for a moment about the noise of the bombs.
The lack of basic necessities
«Three meals a day, a warm bed and a safe place to sleep: these are the gifts most desired by the population. They would like to return to their homes. Or buy a dessert in the bakery they went to before the war, which is now closed because there is no flour left, not even for bread” he confides.
There is also a lack of water, milk for newborns and diapers. As Fortin points out, «it is difficult to even find tomato paste with which to season pasta for Christmas lunch, and try to disconnect for a moment from the devastation in which we operate».
The humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza
Every day is unpredictable, at night you never know if you will be able to sleep or if bombings and evacuation alerts will prevail. «There is a humanitarian disaster underway. The only hope is an immediate and permanent ceasefire in order to restore normality, step by step. A population, however resilient beyond all expectations, will need a lot of time, energy and resources to return to feeling safe” he concludes.
Costanza Maria Costa, head of human resources in Ukraine
Bombs and sirens also echo in another territory tormented by war for almost three years. Namely Ukrainewhere Costanza Maria Costa has been responsible for human resources at Doctors Without Borders since September.
«As soon as I arrived, I had a very strange feeling: people continued to go to work, children went to school, everything seemed to flow as if there wasn’t a war going on. Then, when I heard the first siren ringing across the city to warn of an incoming air raid, I was filled with the awareness that I was in the middle of a conflict. It is as if the population, despite suffering, had become accustomed to the roar of the explosions, the frantic rush towards the shelters” tells.
«Under the Christmas tree, photos of missing people»
During this time, the streets are decorated, but suffering prevails. “Under the Christmas tree in the central square of Kiev, there are photos of missing people and Ukrainian flags,” says Costa: “It’s difficult to celebrate with a heavy heart.”
Every day the MSF team is involved in assisting the population through mobile clinics that reach even small communities far from population centers and transport patients from the front line to safer hospital centers.
The organization is also operational with the first rehabilitation project post amputation surgery, to provide assistance from the first moments, through a multidisciplinary team of nurses, physiotherapists and psychologists.
A few hours of serenity for children growing up in a climate of conflict
«We pay great attention to mental health. Especially during the Christmas holidays, the suffering becomes worse: every family misses some loved one. Almost all of them have at least one relative who fights. Children are growing up in a climate of conflict, they are inevitably deprived of light-heartedness” explains the humanitarian worker, busy with the rest of the team organizing a small party to celebrate Christmas all together.
Giving a few hours of serenity, especially to the little ones, is the objective of this moment which will be punctuated by games, toasts and local food. «It’s not easy – he specifies – everyone has their own baggage of suffering, but we celebrate the joy of being together and the spirit of union that allows us to face difficult moments and save human lives».
The desire for peace
Costa, undeniably, misses her family, with whom she will exchange greetings via streaming, but declares herself proud to offer his support to a country that is in so much need.
«I know well that for every person we managed to save there are just as many who need help or unfortunately don’t survive. It’s a flow that seems endless. But I feel guided by my passion as well as by the desire that the new year finally brings peace” he concludes.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED