The New Dark Age

Introduction from CEO – Steven James
Looking back over the events of the past year one cannot help but focus on the continuing humanitarian disaster in Gaza, exacerbated by the military incursion, which caused so much death and destruction. The timing was extremely poignant for MAP, since it coincided with the start of our 25th anniversary. It is indeed a sad indictment that our work in the region still remains so crucial 25 years on from our origins in the aftermath of the massacre at Sabra and Shatila.

Our response to the crisis was highly commended,not just on the ground in Gaza with our immediate delivery of surgical kits to the hospitals and blood donation facilities, followed up by hygiene and nutrition kits to children and logistical support for the supply of medicines; but also by the round-the clock,support given by our staff in Ramallah and London. Thanks to the tremendous response we received from our supporters, we have also been able to undertake several longer term programmes,necessary to improve the health and welfare of Palestinians in Gaza.

Elsewhere in the region we continued to strengthen our commitment to health development for the most vulnerable sectors of society. In Lebanon, where Palestinian refugees continue to survive in overcrowded camps, our Maternal and Child Health programme in Nahr al-Bared camp has shown enormous success in helping young mothers by providing regular home visits and midwifery training.

While in the West Bank, which still suffers from hundreds of checkpoints and barriers, our activities have ranged from improving healthcare services for women in the most neglected areas of the Hebron governorate; to providing a network of mobile outreach clinics for marginalised Bedouin communities along the Jordan valley; to building the capacity of health providers through certified training by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

This year has also witnessed the establishment of a structured Advocacy and Communications department within MAP, leading to the subsequent support of the Institute of Community and Public Health in Ramallah and the successful publication of the Lancet reviews and the workshops and conferences. These will provide a platform for our ongoing work over the coming year.

Our level of programme activity has increased throughout the year, and is poised to increase further over the coming year. This has only been possible due to the generosity of our supporters, and the commitment and dedication of our staff, trustees, patrons and President, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC.

My thanks to you all.

Steven James
Chief Executive

Download the PDF of  MAP’s Annual Review 2008-09 here:

http://www.map-uk.org/files/473_map_annual_review_2008-09.pdf