24/07/24 (Agence Europe) – Sixteen Palestinian children and members of their families were evacuated from Egypt to Spain on Wednesday 24 July. The medical operation was coordinated and funded by the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), with the participation of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) and the authorities of the countries concerned. These evacuations were deemed necessary “at a time when the remaining hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed and access to healthcare is seriously affected by the ongoing war”, according to the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič. In 2024, 23% of the EU humanitarian budget was allocated to health-related issues in Gaza, i.e. €32.5 million. 22 experts were deployed to Cairo as part of the UCPM at the beginning of January to support the WHO’s emergency medical team for Gaza. (FS)