Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

Over the past five years I have been honoured to be the President of Medical Aid for Palestinians. As a human rights lawyer, I share with MAP a deep-seated belief in justice, and in my time as President, either when visiting Bedouin settlements in the West Bank or refugee camps in Lebanon, I have seen that after so many years the Palestinian people are still searching for the most basic of human rights.

Dr Swee Chai Ang

"Because MAP was small, and had none of the funds larger organisations had, we always thought of ourselves as friends of the Palestinian people, rather than as some 'charity'. For those of us close to the camp folks, we knew they would find the idea of hand-outs offensive, but we were merely a channel whereby the goodwill in Britain could be directed to them. Our supporters did not give out of pity; like all supporters of a just cause, they gave out of solidarity, on the basis of mutual respect."

Dr Patience Moberly, former member of MAP Programme Advisory Panel

"I was involved in selecting which programmes MAP would be involved in and to ensure that our work was underpinned by good medicine. Everyone involved with MAP is dedicated to such crucially important work. Those who have seen or heard about the conditions that the Palestinians live in are motivated by the deep feeling of injustice and a sense of responsibility for improving their situation."

Francis Khoo - Former MAP Chairman

"Public opinion was initially not sympathetic. With time, admiration of the Palestinians for their courage, steadfastness and resistance spread and news of their suffering reached Britain. The goal posts, as they say, begun to shift. MAP is today a respected institution but not many people realise the uphill task we had."

The Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood KBE DL PC

I was honoured when I was asked to become President of MAP at the beginning of 1997. I had long admired the tireless efforts of the charity to try and alleviate the appalling suffering of the Palestinian people.

Having already visited numerous refugee camps in both Palestine and the Lebanon, I was acutely aware of the desperate conditions under which children were forced to grow up and live. So, when I was given the opportunity to work with MAP, I was fully conscious of what was required and of the very serious challenges that lay ahead.

My time at MAP began in an atmosphere of some hope, which was soon to descend into the chaos and brutality of the Al-Aqsa Intifada.

I remember meeting with President Yasser Arafat in the summer of 1998, around the time of the election of Prime Minister Barak, and he conveyed his warm appreciation for MAP?s continuing good work. At this time, it seemed that there was some optimism for developing the healthcare infrastructure in the region.

It became increasingly worrying how little political progress had been made since the Oslo accords were signed in 1993. Then, with the onset of the second intifada, came a whole host of new challenges.

From 2000 on, I saw the level of poverty rocket from around 22% to well over 60%. I saw the construction of the 'wall' with its controversial route. These rises in social inequality began to place huge demands on MAP?s resources, particularly in terms of emergency humanitarian assistance, demands that they continue to meet day after day.

I considered it a great privilege to be President of the charity for eight years and I learned a great deal, especially in the visits to the West Bank and Gaza. I saw for myself the truly rewarding work our people on the ground undertake in the most trying and difficult circumstances.

Dr Runa Mackay, MAP Volunteer and author of Exile in Israel

"In 1987 I worked with MAP in a clinic in a Palestinian refugee camp in the south of Lebanon. It was during the civil war and I was the only doctor in the camp treating 60-70 patients everyday. The horrible injustice of the situation prompted me to stay actively involved with MAP on my return."

Robin Kealy, MAP Chairman and former British Consul-General in Jerusalem

"We can be very proud of what we've done over the years. No matter what challenges lie ahead, MAP will continue to do more."

Dr Ian Gibson MP

Through my experience of working with MAP, I was afforded the opportunity to visit Jerusalem and Ramallah. While there I visited hospitals, settlements and the United Nations Directorate. During my visit I suffered a stroke, for which I was treated magnificently at the Maqassed Hospital.

Our journey from Ramallah to the Mount of Olives was enlivened by the Israeli checkpoint guards, who delayed us for over an hour for reasons unknown. When I arrived at the hospital, all the staff - nurses, technicians and consultants - were wonderfully welcoming and talkative.

Through MAP, I also helped deliver awards to well-trained young Palestinian medics. I was very impressed by MAP's team, who showed immense skill at negotiating difficult situations throughout my time there.

Back here in the UK, I am involved in collecting money for the Maqassed Hospital to allow British surgical teams to treat heart problems of young Palestinian babies in a custom-built unit.

All we need is a political sea-change to allow them to pass unhindered from the Gaza strip. I very much hope that I can go back one day and thank everyone in person.

Chris Doyle, Director, Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU)

MAP is a vital organisation in promoting healthcare for Palestinians. In February 2005 I saw at first hand the crucial and wonderful work carried out by MAP and its partner organisations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, often in the most deprived areas of the occupied territories. I was impressed by the way that MAP tried to fill the gaps, looking to do what other organisations were not doing.

Importantly I felt that MAP does not simply send out aid to whoever asks for it. It follows as it must a clear strategy focusing on looking at ways in which funds can best be spent to provide for the long-term future well-being of Palestinians.

Marta Lanzoni - Former Intern

MAP gave me the possibility to work and suggest incentives in situation analysis and events organization for fundraising strategies.

The whole experience helped me to improve analytic, critical and methodological skills which are now resulting very important for my current job and more in general for my personal development. However the best aspect of my volunteering period was the possibility to participate in staff meetings and to be able to collaborate with the fundraising and the communication teams. Seeing the work closely and collaborating with qualified, motivated and passionate people facilitated the learning process and it created right conditions to provide incentives in a proactive way. Definitely the idea of being working for a right and good cause helps to work with smile and enthusiasm.