January 5, 2009

EGYPT (ANS) -- The UK branch of a Colorado-based international humanitarian group is supporting a team of medical doctors that have deployed to help the victims of the conflict in Gaza.

Humanitarian International Services Group (http://www.hisg.org/) says state health officials are reporting that at least 400 people have been killed, and 1,700 more wounded, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip are vastly overwhelmed in the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

HISG has provided funding for immediate needs on the ground and is also working with a team of aid workers delivering emergency items into the Gaza strip as well as a Hungarian team of doctors that has been granted access to the conflict zone, according to a media release from the group.

HISG is networked with thousands of relief and development organizations around the world, and focuses on connecting resources to needs. In this relief effort, HISG's United Kingdom office provided essential support to aid workers from different parts of Europe in order to meet urgent medical needs quickly for the people suffering in Gaza.

The group says the most urgent needs are for medical supplies, fuel and food.

"As the conflict continues, there is very little food available in Gaza and people are forced to wait in long lines for small rations. Most of the hospitals use diesel generators for electricity, so as the number of wounded people increases, an adequate supply of fuel is vital," the media release explains.

The release says that HISG's vast network of partners enables them to respond to emergency situations quickly and efficiently. HISG has mobilized capable teams of international volunteers to meet dire and specific needs in Gaza.

Article and photo copyright 2008 ASSIST News Service