EU's first medical evacuation operation of Palestinians transfers children from Egypt to Spain

On 24 July, the first EU-coordinated medical evacuation operation of 16 Palestinian children and their family members took place from Egypt to Spain. The operation was financially and operationally supported by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund (PCRF) and authorities of all countries involved.

In response to the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by the WHO, the EU has been fully supporting the coordination of the activities to medically evacuate Palestinian patients to Europe. The request concerns targeted medical evacuations for a number of children in urgent need of medical care.

So far, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Spain offered assistance for medical evacuations, including treatment for patients as well as transportation.

The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), in coordination with EU health and consular services, as well as respective EU Delegations, is in contact with the Member States, WHO and all relevant partners to facilitate these operations which are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Since the beginning of the crisis, the EU has been a strong supporter of the health response in Gaza through its humanitarian partners. In 2024, 23% of the EU's humanitarian budget has been allocated to issues related to health in Gaza, amounting to €32.5 million.  Since early January, the EU has also been supporting the WHO's Gaza Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell in Cairo with 22 experts deployed from the EU and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism's participating countries.

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At a time when the remaining hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed and access to healthcare is severely affected by the ongoing war, medical evacuations are more crucial than ever. I thank Spain and the other EU Member States who offered assistance for their commitment to Palestinians in need of urgent medical care. Israel and all the actors involved in these operations must continue honouring their commitment and facilitate the needed access for evacuations to continue.

Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management

As the ongoing health and humanitarian tragedy in Gaza worsens, vulnerable patients are being left without the lifesaving treatment and care they need. We must redouble our efforts to ensure safe medical evacuations for those in urgent need, in particular children.

Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety