Medical Evacuations
In conflict zones, medical care is often inaccessible, leaving thousands of critically ill and injured individuals without the treatment they urgently need. For many, survival depends on being evacuated to hospitals beyond the war zone where life-saving interventions are available. However, navigating the logistical, financial, and bureaucratic barriers to medical evacuation is nearly impossible for those in crisis.
At Relief Across Borders, we work to bridge this gap. Our Medical Evacuation Programme facilitates emergency transfers for patients in need of specialised care, ensuring they reach hospitals in safe locations where they can receive urgent treatment. From securing exit permits to coordinating transport, we are committed to giving the most vulnerable a fighting chance at survival.
In December 2023, the Hanouna children (four siblings and one cousin) were severely injured in an explosion that killed their parents and sister and affected several other relatives. .
The children were successfully evacuated to the UAE via the Rafah Crossing and are now receiving ongoing treatment for their injuries, including prosthetics.
Relief Across Borders regularly visits the family in the UAE. The children are recovering well and thriving.
Comprehensive care was provided inside Gaza through a multi-agency approach.
Pre-evacuation care in Gaza included 24/7 wound care by a nurse and food aid.
Relief Across Borders secured passports for the aunt and grandmother through our team in Ramallah.
Ongoing support is provided to the family in both the UAE and Gaza, including in-person visits.
The Hanouna Family’s Evacuation: A Case Study
"In conflict zones, medical care is often out of reach, and for too many, the inability to access treatment becomes a death sentence. Our Medical Evacuation Programme exists to change that reality, ensuring that critically ill and injured individuals are not left to suffer simply because of where they were born.
One key way we are making a difference is through our partnership with the Ministry of Interior in Palestine. This collaboration has allowed us to secure hundreds of passports for Gazans in need of urgent medical treatment, breaking down one of the most formidable barriers to their survival. But this is just the beginning.
Every patient we evacuate serves as a reminder of the immense need for continued action. However, no evacuation is cause for celebration. We remain acutely aware of the social cost that comes with leaving one's home—leaving behind loved ones, communities, and everything familiar. The trauma of displacement is not forgotten, and the emotional and psychological toll of evacuation is significant.
At Relief Across Borders, we remain committed to ensuring that no life is lost due to the inaccessibility of care, while fully acknowledging the profound challenges and sacrifices that each evacuation entails."
— Rebekah, Founder of Relief Across Borders
Patients Awaiting Evacuation in Gaza
As of January 2025, over 12,000 patients in Gaza were awaiting medical evacuation, including approximately 2,500 children in urgent need of treatment for life-threatening conditions.
Challenges in Securing Exit Approvals in Gaza
As of December 2024, only 39% of medical evacuation requests for critical patients had been approved, leaving approximately 14,000 patients still in need of evacuation abroad.