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"I saw for myself the truly rewarding work our people on the ground undertake in the most trying and difficult circumstances."
Lord Steel
Lord Steel on a MAP visit to Palestine in 2003
Chris Doyle, MAP Trustee and Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding
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.
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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.
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Chris Doyle, Director, C ouncil 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.
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