Jon Mroz – Correspondent – IMEMC News: Save the Children reported on October 10, 2024, that 14,100 children have been confirmed dead in Gaza since October 2023. Unofficial estimates are far higher. It is impossible at present to get an accurate number of injured children, but UNICEF reported on April 10, 2024, that the number is approximately seventy recorded cases per day putting the total in the vicinity of 30,000 injured and critically injured children.
One of those children, Diaa Al-Haqq (15) from Gaza and his sister Ayah received a hero’s welcome at Portland International Airport, in Oregon, USA, on November 16, 2024. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund works with Shriners Hospital to offer aid to amputee children. Diaa will be receiving prosthetic arms and possible surgery during his stay in Portland which, according to the President of the Portland Chapter of PCRF Intesar Amirkani, will, “include the time required for physical therapy”.
Diaa lost his arms while sitting at a coffee shop. Turkish media outlet Anadolou Anjasi reports that according to the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, the Israeli government dropped over 70,000 tons of bombs on Gaza between October 2023 and April 2024 exceeding the amount of munitions used in Hamburg, Dresden and London during WWII.
A crowd of approximately 100 members of the Palestinian-American community, along with activists and volunteers gathered in PDX’s central terminal to greet the evacuees when they arrived. The group erupted in cheers and an outpouring of empathy and support as Diaa cleared customs. For approximately 30 minutes, the mood oscillated between grief and joy, pride and despair with smiling children and tearful parents clamoring to welcome them.
Diaa’s demeanor was one of exhaustion and relief, imbued with a sense of wonder and excitement. His sheepish grin belied his ordeal, and it was clear that he knew that he was, at least for the moment, safe. He smiled at my camera. PCRF reported that he was a lover of photography, and I wrestled with the question of whether his new prosthetic limbs would ever take a photograph.
PCRF is currently applying for over twenty children in need of treatment in the United States. The Israeli government recently approved a small number of cases including Diaa’s. According to PCRF, one child (in addition to Diaa) is heading to Sacramento and another two children will receive treatment outside the United States.
When a child is approved for treatment, PCRF volunteers will find a host family and organize fundraising campaigns to sponsor the patient and their guardian/s travel and other financial needs. When the patient arrives, the PCRF also provides social and emotional support throughout the duration of the patient’s stay. These supports include but are not limited to, taking patients to medical appointments, interpretation at medical appointments, shopping for the patient’s needs, providing additional healthcare services and educational tutoring.
Medical Coordinator for PCRF’s Portland Chapter Rania Kanaan reported that the Portland chapter began with a 2014 case of a three-year-old child Hazar, arriving to receive treatment at Shriners Hospital. Rania went on to say, “I hosted a child Thaer Jouda from Gaza in 2016 who lost his leg and part of his hand. He received treatment and then returned in 2019 for additional treatment. Currently there are two children in Chicago and two in New York, PCRF reached out to the Portland chapter [regarding Diaa] and we said yes.”
There seemed to be a consensus among community members that it was important to show Diaa and his sister that they were among friends and extended family. Amirkani said “We are here to show Dia and his sister that they are not alone and have the support of the community”. Chair of the Portland Chapter of Al-Awda Musaab Ikhmayes echoed that sentiment, “I think it’s important to show these kids who have been through trauma that they are not alone.”
When asked what would happen to Diaa after his treatment was completed, Amirkani replied, “under usual circumstances, patients under PCRF care return home after their treatment plan is complete. Diaa’s current treatment plan is expected to take several months at minimum and his stay may be extended in order to ensure he and his sister Ayah can safely return.”
To learn more about the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, please visit https://www.pcrf.net/.
