USAID responds to an urgent request for blood bags in Gaza – USAID press release/Non-UN document

USAID Responds to an urgent request for blood bags in Gaza

Gaza Strip – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded the delivery of 3,500 blood bags to be distributed to seven hospitals in Gaza. USAID’s assistance came in response to a dangerous shortage of specialized plastic bags used to collect and store blood for transfusions. The blood bags were delivered through CARE International on February 6.

USAID’s rapid response provided the health care facilities with a one-month supply of bags. This will increase the capacity of these hospitals to store blood needed for transfusions and for use in surgeries and other medical procedures.

The $14,642 procurement of blood bags is part of USAID’s Emergency Medical Assistance Program that responds to urgent humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza. Since September 2005, this $30 million health assistance program has enabled quick procurement and distribution of pharmaceuticals, dialysis supplies, medical equipment, and spare parts to Palestinian clinics and health care facilities.

Since 1993, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have received more than $1.7 billion in U.S. economic assistance via USAID projects to combat poverty, improve health and education, create jobs and promote good governance.