On the evening of January 15, the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Albania announced the evacuation of a one-year-old child from Gaza to Albania for critical medical care. The child is currently receiving treatment at the Mother Teresa University Hospital in Tirana, while the father, brother, and sister have been accommodated at the refugee center in Babrru, near the capital.
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This marks the first medical evacuation to Albania involving residents of Gaza. In November 2023, a family of Albanian descent was evacuated from the Palestinian enclave. The ongoing conflict has heightened the need for urgent medical interventions, particularly for children, many of whom are in critical condition.
The Growing Crisis in Gaza
Since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023, humanitarian and child advocacy organizations have consistently called for the facilitation of medical evacuations from the besieged enclave. In October of last year, UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, highlighted the dire situation, noting that the rate of evacuations for critically ill children was alarmingly low—fewer than one child per day.
UNICEF warned that at this pace, it would take over seven years to evacuate the estimated 2,500 children requiring urgent medical care. The agency’s reports indicate a sharp decline in the number of children evacuated after Israel intensified its offensive near the Rafah crossing. From January to early May 2024, an average of 296 children were evacuated monthly, but this number plummeted to just 22 per month following the escalation.
The Humanitarian Toll
The war in Gaza erupted following an October 2023 attack by Hamas, a Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. The attack on southern Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of nearly 250 people. In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale offensive in Gaza, which has since claimed the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children. The enclave has been plunged into a severe humanitarian crisis, with its infrastructure in ruins and medical resources stretched to the breaking point.
Hope Amidst the Conflict
The evacuation of the one-year-old child to Albania is a poignant reminder of the critical role international solidarity and humanitarian efforts play during times of crisis. On January 15, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the warring parties, with provisions for the release of hostages. The ceasefire is set to take effect on January 19, offering a glimmer of hope for millions affected by the ongoing conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, the global community—governments, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations—must redouble their efforts to ensure that those in desperate need, particularly children, receive the care and protection they deserve.