Gaza: Welthungerhilfe condemns destruction of health centre
Following Israeli airstrike: Medical facility in northern Gaza no longer operational
Bonn/Berlin, March 19, 2025. The Al-Rafi health centre in the north of the Gaza Strip, where until yesterday more than 600 patients received medical treatment every day, has been destroyed in an Israeli air strike. The facility is run by the local organization Juzoor, a partner of Welthungerhilfe in supporting Gaza's vulnerable population.
The destruction of the buildings and the medical equipment, which was also purchased with support from Welthungerhilfe, is so extensive that the health centre can no longer operate. Mathias Mogge, Secretary General of Welthungerhilfe, explains:
“Attacking health facilities is a violation of international humanitarian law. The destruction of the Al-Rafi health centre threatens to further worsen the humanitarian situation for 50,000 people in northern Gaza. The clinic is their only source of medical care. The centre also provides support to children and pregnant women to prevent severe malnutrition. It is vital that the remaining health facilities in Gaza are protected. We need a further ceasefire to allow aid to reach those in need and prevent further suffering.”
Welthungerhilfe has reached around 120,000 people in Gaza since the beginning of the operation. During the ceasefire alone, 90,000 people received aid. In carrying out its work, Welthungerhilfe and its partners strictly adhere to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity, impartiality, and independence. Welthungerhilfe strongly condemns the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and calls for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. At the same time, it demands a lasting ceasefire, the protection of civilians and humanitarian aid workers, and the safe and unhindered delivery of essential aid as soon as possible.
Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest private aid organizations in Germany; it is politically independent and non-denominational. With courage and determination, it is striving for a world without hunger. Since it was founded on December 14, 1962, 12,128 overseas projects in about 72 countries have been supported with 5.07 billion euros. Welthungerhilfe follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to sustainably improve their living conditions, offering everything from fast disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organizations.
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