MECA’s Gaza Crisis Team – Please help

Dear Friend, I will be brief.  There is so much to say but also there are no words.  And, I’m sure you understand, I must use my time, my electricity, and my internet access very carefully. I have been talking nearly every day to Barbara Lubin and Ziad Abbas at the MECA office as well as to friends and colleagues here in Gaza about the needs of the children in Gaza.  We decided to set up a Crisis Team to provide psychological and medical help for children and families. I’m asking you to support this life-saving work now. With support from MECA, the Red Crescent Society of the Gaza Strip and I are bringing together a team of 35 teachers, psychologists, nurses, and social workers living in Gaza. This Crisis Team is already providing urgently needed help by: #1 Responding to calls to our new crisis hotlinefor families who have children in need of psychological support. Our team provides advice to the parents and other family members. #2 Since the hospitals in Gaza are now completely overwhelmed with hundreds of injuries, our Crisis Team is making home visits to patients with chronic illnesses like asthma and high blood pressure, and also to people who are unable to reach a hospital because it is too dangerous to move from one area to another. Your support of MECA is so important to me and to all of us living through this madness and horror. As families take refuge in UN schools, MECA's Maia Project units are providing clean, safe drinking water in the midst of major damage to Gaza's infrastructure. The hundreds of mothers, social workers, and teachers who received trainings from the MECA-supported “Let the Children Play and Heal” are an invaluable resource to local communities as children are re-traumatized by these attacks. Your donation now will help MECA do more to help children heal physically and emotionally. And you will remind the children that there are people all over the world who care about them and will stand up for them. Please give to support this life-saving work now. With Love From Gaza, Dr. Mona El-Farra P.S. Please send this message to anyone in your life who may want to help the children in Gaza. Thank you. Take these important actions today: Write and call President Obama demanding that he exert diplomatic pressure on Israel for an immediate cease-fire and initiate an investigation into Israel’s misuse of U.S. weapons to commit human rights abuses of Palestinians. Read about the 5 ways to effectively support Gaza through Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions. Join an emergency protestor organize one yourself.  There are dozens of emergency actions planned across the country. "No Place is Safe": After Assault’s Worst Day, Gaza Doctor Says Israel Terrorizing Civilians Interview with Dr. Mona El-Farra on Democracy Now! Read Dr. Mona El-Farra's Live Reports from Gaza on MECA's Palestine Blog   DONATE NOW! Copyright © 2012 Middle East Children's Alliance, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up, made a donation, signed a petition, or attended an event with the Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA). This mail program allows you to directly manage your communication preferences. Please contact MECA with any questions at 510 548-0542. Our mailing address is: Middle East Children's Alliance 1101 Eighth Street Suite 100 Berkeley, CA 94710 Add us to your address book