Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip: Facts & Figures February 2025
The Red Cross Field Hospital was established and opened on 9 May 2024, and is implemented in coordination with the Palestine Red Crescent Society and supported by Red Cross Societies of Australia, Austria, Canada, China (Hong Kong branch), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
It is located in Rafah area of the Gaza Strip, and it's sole purpose is to provide medical services to civilians affected by the current armed conflict.
Ceasefire
A mass casualty incident (MCI) was activated one day before the most recent ceasefire agreement came into effect on 19 January 2025 (17 cases: 1 black, 3 red, 8 yellow, 5 green). In the week prior to the ceasefire, 32 war-wounded patients were intermittently received. MCI training drills will be implemented to ensure the deployed staff remain ready despite the relative calm of the ceasefire in effect.
Winter
The average weather between January-February 2025 has included heavy rains, strong winds, and cold temperatures. A particularly strong storm in early February destroyed many tents of internally displaced people in the Gaza Strip. The same wind storm damaged the tents in front of the outpatient department (OPD)as well as the dressing room, the MHPSS, Physio and kitchen. Repairs are ongoing; the containers are being used as alternatives.
Main statistics (since 9 May)
Patient demographics
The outpatient department (OPD) and the emergency department (ED) continue to provide medical services during the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Children under the age of 18 make up 37% of all patients (children under 14 make up 29%); and 44% of all patients are female.
Surgeries
Since May 9, almost 2,700 surgical procedures have been performed including general surgical interventions (approx. 52%), removal of dead or infected tissue (approx. 32%), orthopedic (9%), and others (7%).
Visits
The ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric visited the Red Cross Field Hospital on Monday 13 January 2025. She toured the different sections of the hospital, listened to the stories of many patients, and met with all the staff. She thanked the teams for their commitment to work in the RFH and reiterated that the life-saving work of the hospital is widely recognized around the world. President Spoljaric also reaffirmed ICRC support for the hospital into 2025.
