PRCS provides its services to communities affected by severe weather conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

(Al Bireh- 4/3/2012): PRCS provided relief services to communities affected by severe weather conditions prevailing since last Tuesday, as follows:

- A team from the PRCS provided relief items including covers, mattresses, heaters, hygiene items, cutlery and blankets to two families in Beit Hanina (Jerusalem Governorate) after they were evacuated from their homes which were totally damaged by the rain. In Jaba’a (Jerusalem Governorate), DMU teams provided relief items to 13 families comprising 62 members after rainwater seeped into their tents and shacks. Tents, mattresses, blankets and hygiene and relief items were distributed.

- Another PRCS team, on its way to Ein Kinia (Ramallah Governorate) to assist 8 families, noticed a car carried away by floodwater. The car was pulled out and assistance was provided to its passengers.

- Following a call from UNRWA to PRCS’ Central Operations Room concerning the Red Khan area, a team headed to the area where it provided humanitarian assistance to around 16 families.

- PRCS teams assisted a woman in labor in Marah Rabah (Bethlehem Governorate). The woman delivered her baby inside the PRCS ambulance before being taken to a Bethlehem hospital. PRCS teams also provided First Aid to three persons suffering from fractures or bruises after they slipped in the rain. All three patients were taken to hospital for further treatment.

- Another team evacuated 3 families in Al Aroob, 3 others in Al Shyoukh and 3 more in Masafer Bani Na’im (Hebron Governorate) after heavy rainwater seeped into their homes. - In Northern Al Aghwar, the PRCS provided relief items to several families after water damaged their tents and shacks.

- In the Gaza Strip, and after lightning hit several homes in Bani Suhaila, PRCS’ Evaluation Teams assessed damages in the electricity network and walls. Ten homes were affected with all their electrical appliances damaged. Al Huda mosque also sustained severe damage.

- Strong winds in the Northern Gaza Strip Governorate blew away the roof and walls of Mohamad Shaker’s home in Al Atatrah. The Evaluation Team was dispatched to the area to assess damages and provide the necessary assistance.

- A number of people were seriously injured when a tunnel collapsed in Rafah due to flash floods. A PRCS ambulance was dispatched to the scene where it provided First Aid. The injured were then transported to Al Najar hospital for further treatment.

- At Al Matahen crossroads (central Gaza Strip), a truck traveling at high speed turned over, causing injuries to the driver. PRCS team provided him with First Aid before taking him to hospital.

- In the Gaza Strip, heavy rain over the past few days caused serious damage to homes and farms. Wastewater, rainwater and soil seeped into homes, especially in low areas and refugee camps where homes are not fit for human habitation because they are very old and built from metal sheets and asbestos.

- Also in the Gaza Strip, strong winds uprooted several trees and ad boards, closing down many streets. PRCS teams headed to these areas and made a rapid and initial assessment of damages there. Relief assistance was provided to around 47 families.