The Ibdaa Health Committee (IHC)

Connecting Health with Human Rights and Dignity

An update on the Work of the Ibdaa Health Committee and the Situation on the Ground in Occupied Palestine

Speaker: Dr. Lori Rudolph, U.S Coordinator of the Ibdaa Health Committee
When: Saturday, October 6th
Where: Albuquerque Peace & Justice Center
Time: 7-9pm Come earlier for refreshments!!!

The economic, social and health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories has deteriorated to an unprecedented and alarming level, warning of a dangerous humanitarian disaster due to the economic sanctions that was imposed by Israel, the United States and other Western nations. The health situation in particular has been seriously undermined as a result of external funding cuts to the Palestinian Authority (PA), together with Israel’s refusal to transfer tax monies collected on behalf of the PA and the freezing of PA accounts by commercial banks.

The PA employs 57 percent of all health workers, and runs 45 percent of primary health care centers. Its inability to maintain service provision is having a devastating impact on access to healthcare, and is placing an unsustainable burden on non-governmental health care organizations to fill the gap in services. Additionally, the number of people who are no longer able to afford needed medical care due to lack of employment and/or loss of income is alarmingly high.

In light of the burgeoning heath care crisis, the IHC is expanding its services to help minimize the deleterious effects of these sanctions on Palestinian Civil Society. Dr. Rudolph, who recently returned from an eight-month stay at Dheisheh refugee camp, will provide an update on these services and the impact of the current political situation on the health sector in Palestinian Civil Society. Additionally, Lori will highlight other daily human rights abuses including Israeli military incursions, the use of torture, restriction of movement, settlement expansion, and popular resistance against the apartheid wall.

This event is free and open to the public however donations are highly encouraged. All proceeds will go directly to the Ibdaa Health Committee.

The IHC is a community based, non-partisan, and democratic association comprised of local and international volunteers, including nurses, physicians, psychologists, counselors, social workers and other interested persons. It provides critically needed medical and mental health services through health education, prevention, treatment, and professional training for adults and children who reside either in Dheisheh Camp or in the Greater Bethlehem Area.

Lori Rudolph is a visiting professor at NMHU in Las Vegas, NM and a clinical counselor. She is a member of the Middle East Peace and Justice Alliance in Albuquerque and U.S Coordinator for the Ibdaa Health Committee at Dheisheh refugee camp in the West Bank where she travels to frequently. In addition to her work with the IHC, Lori was a visiting professor in the community mental health program at Al Quds University in Abu Dis, Palestine.

For Further Info Contact Lori Rudolph at
550-9553/lorir@unm.edu

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS WIDELY