After 470 days of devastating conflict, a temporary ceasefire took effect on January 19, 2025, offering a narrow window of relief for Gaza’s population. The war has caused catastrophic destruction to homes, hospitals, and essential infrastructure, with approximately 1.9 million people—nearly 90% of the population—displaced. More than 47,000 people have been killed, over 111,000 injured, and thousands remain missing under the rubble, while tens of thousands of children have been orphaned.
The healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with only half of hospitals and a fraction of primary healthcare centers still operational. Ongoing attacks and infrastructure damage have severely restricted access to care, leaving an estimated 12,000 patients in urgent need of medical evacuation. Widespread destruction—impacting the majority of homes, schools, and agricultural land—has further deepened humanitarian needs and long-term instability.
In response, SAMS has scaled up its operations, establishing a presence inside Gaza and delivering critical support through local partnerships. Interventions have included medical supply distribution, support for healthcare facilities, deployment of medical missions, and provision of food and non-food assistance to displaced populations. SAMS has also prioritized mental health services, reaching thousands with psychosocial support, and invested in medical education to strengthen long-term healthcare capacity.
Between late 2024 and early 2025, SAMS-supported programs provided healthcare services to over 17,000 individuals and psychosocial support to more than 2,500 people. Additional efforts include the launch of a dental clinic in Nuseirat, support for maternal and child health services through mobile units, and delivery of critical medications through regional corridors despite significant access challenges.
Looking ahead, SAMS is transitioning from emergency response to recovery through a comprehensive 2025 plan focused on strengthening primary healthcare, expanding mental health services, rehabilitating damaged facilities, and scaling medical missions. These efforts aim to restore healthcare access, rebuild local capacity, and address the profound physical and psychological toll of the conflict on Gaza’s population.