Four young cancer patients from Gaza transferred to Belgium

Four young cancer patients from the Gaza Strip have been evacuated to Belgium along with their companions. The children will be treated here, as there is little access to healthcare in Gaza. The patients have been selected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and are part of a larger group of people transferred to several European countries.

The children are currently in Egypt, which asked the WHO for assistance. Belgium, through its Belgian First Aid and Support Team (B-FAST), has responded positively. B-Fast is an interdepartmental structure that organises the dispatch of Belgian emergency aid abroad. The young patients will be treated in Belgian hospitals.

The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) is coordinating the evacuation, Slovakia is in charge of transporting the patients. B-FAST has sent two staff from the Federal Public Service (FPS) Public Health and the FPS Foreign Affairs to Egypt to manage the operation.

In the Gaza Strip, the healthcare system has virtually collapsed due to ongoing attacks by the Israeli army, which amongst others also bombed hospitals. “With this medical evacuation, we are showing our solidarity with those innocent child victims,” said Belgian minister of development cooperation Caroline Gennez. “It’s a small contribution, but important that we realise this medical evacuation in a European context. Europe must and can do more to stop the suffering in Gaza.”

According to Belgium's foreign minister Hadja Lahbib, the aid “is a glimmer of hope” for the children and with it Belgium is sending “a message of humanity”.

Besides the four children who have now been transferred, another six young patients will eventually be transferred from Gaza to be cared for in Belgium.

^{Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib aboard an aircraft prior to the departure of an emergency aid dropping operation to Gaza, from the military airport in Melsbroek, in March 2024 © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}