The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) is proud to announce the successful evacuation of Sanad, a 1-year-old Palestinian child, as the third patient in our groundbreaking humanitarian effort to evacuate critically injured and ill children from Gaza to South Africa. Sanad’s injuries, including second-degree white phosphorus burns covering 20% of his body and a fracture in his left leg, are the result of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Sanad, accompanied by his father, will join Mira, a 9-year-old, who arrived in Johannesburg on August 30, 2024, and Lina, a 17-year-old, who arrived on September 4, 2024. Both Mira and Lina are receiving essential medical care at a private hospital in Centurion, Pretoria. This facility will provide comprehensive treatment, including both surgical and non-surgical interventions, along with psychosocial support for all the children and their families during their stay.

This initiative, supported by PCRF’s partners in South Africa and MealSA, underscores the profound impact of international solidarity and humanitarian cooperation. It also highlights the urgent need for continued efforts, as many more children in Gaza remain in critical need of evacuation and specialized medical treatment.

Since January 2024, the PCRF Treatment Abroad team has successfully secured the evacuation of 127 Palestinian children from Gaza to the US, the Middle East, Europe, and South Africa for life-saving treatment.

Thousands of Palestinian children in Gaza face severe medical conditions and are being denied necessary treatment due to the ongoing war, the collapse of the healthcare system, and the closure of the Rafah border crossing. PCRF remains dedicated to broadening our efforts and calling for increased action to overcome the systemic challenges and barriers that prevent the evacuation and treatment of all children in need.