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URGENT APPEAL: SUPPORT GAZA COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Yet again Palestinians in Gaza are being terrorized and brutalized by an Israeli air, land and sea attack which has resulted in over 1300 civilians murdered and 8000 injured. The constant barrage of missiles and the unending siege of Gaza is creating a medical and psychological crisis unlike anywhere in the world. Medical professionals from all over the world are calling for support for the fragile health care sector in Gaza to help treat thousands of wounded and traumatized women and children. Palestinian children suffer from the most brutal forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and we are calling on the international community to donate to Al-Awda so that we can support the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, the oldest and largest provider of mental health services in Gaza. Please donate as much as you can and forward this email widely.

Grave Concern has been raised among health care professionals world-wide. These professionals have called for immediate actions of solidarity to help combat the lasting impacts of murderous bombardment, ground invasion and carnage in Gaza. Those most affected in the Gaza Strip are the elderly, women and children who are at the greatest risk of long term mental health problems.

While the number of people in need of help is increasing fast, there are little resources to help. As a consequence of the continued bombardment and blockade, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a terrifying growth in mental health problems with victims suffering from stress related conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Medical sources have even noted how some mental health workers have needed to receive counseling themselves to enable them to cope with the terrors which have been imposed upon their patients. Mental health services within the Gaza strip are "over-stretched" and lack substantial funds. Without a properly functioning Gaza Mental Health Program in the Gaza Strip, patients will continue to suffer and will remain at a great risk.

The staff of The Gaza Community Mental Health Program provide crucial and irreplaceable mental health services to thousands of Gaza residents with a special emphasis on vulnerable groups such as children, women, and victims of torture and human rights violations. For more information about the program, see http://www.gcmhp.net/en/ 

How you can help: To help with the work of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, please donate online at http://www.al-awda.org/donate.html . Alternatively please address your check or money order to:

Al-Awda, PRRC
2720 Loker Avenue West, Suite J
Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA

Please indicate GCMHP Emergency in the memo line with your contribution.

Thank you for your support.

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
2720 Loker Avenue West, Suite J
Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
Tel: 760-918-9441
Fax: 760-918-9442
E-mail: info@al-awda.org
WWW: http://al-awda.org

Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition (PRRC) is a not for profit tax-exempt educational and charitable 501(c)(3) organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America. Under IRS guidelines, your donations to PRRC are tax-deductible.