Romanian military transports Palestinians from Gaza for urgent medical care in Romania
Hit the Ground Helping: Romania's Latest Operation to Aid Palestinians in Gaza
Romania has stepped up its humanitarian assistance, launching a medical evacuation mission to aid critically ill Palestinian civilians from Gaza. This action showcases Romania's unwavering support amidst the persistent crisis.
On a sunny Wednesday, May 14, a C-27J Spartan plane of the Romanian Air Force took off from Otopeni Airport, destined for Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport, Israel. The aircraft returned some 16 hours later, carrying 12 severely ill patients and 21 family members seeking relief.
Leaving at noon, the aircraft made a stopover in Israel, where it picked up its humanitarian payload. After medical evaluations, the plane touched down back in Romania at the 90th Air Transport Base in Otopeni, post-midnight.
While airborne, the patients received constant care from a dedicated medical team, comprising doctors and nurses from the Bucharest Emergency Hospital's UPU-SMURD unit, Ministry of National Defence, and an IGSU liaison officer there to manage the undertaking.
Upon arrival, ISU Bucharest-Ilfov emergency crews offered immediate medical support and transportation to local hospitals. The patient evacuees were distributed among Grigore Alexandrescu Emergency Hospital for Children, Maria Sklodowska Curie Emergency Hospital for Children, and Fundeni Clinical Institute in Bucharest. One child, accompanied by their guardian, was transferred to Turkey for specialized care.
This operation was carried out in response to a call from the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission, coordinated by the Common Emergency Communication and Information System within the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
Domestic and international collaboration is key to addressing the deepening health and hunger crisis in Gaza. Romania's actions fit into the larger global effort to support conflict-hit regions with essential healthcare and humanitarian aid.
irina.marica@our website
(Photo source: Facebook/Departamentul pentru Situaţî̆e de Urgentă, WHO)
NOTE:- (Photo source: Facebook/Departamentul pentru Situaţî̆e de Urgentă, WHO) refers to the World Health Organization (WHO). It is a worldwide organization focused on health.- UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) is almost exclusively responsible for providing health care for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, while WHO steps in during emergency situations.- EU Civil Protection Mechanism is a system enabling EU member states to support each other during emergencies, facilitating cooperation and coordination. This mechanism could involve medical evacuations, among other efforts.
The Romanian mission, following the medical evacuation of critically ill Palestinians from Gaza, is a clear demonstration of science, health-and-wellness, and medical-conditions collaboration towards global humanitarian aid. This operation, coordinated with UNRWA and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, underscores the importance of international cooperation to address the health crises in conflict-hit regions, such as Gaza.
