Pauline McNeill MSP
Pauline was a United Nations observer at the last Palestinian Authority elections and her most recent visit to Gaza was as part of the Scotland to Gaza Convoy that Pauline organised with Edinburgh Direct Aid.
"When I returned from Gaza last April, I decided that I would approach a few people to help me organise a convoy of medical aid. Little did we know at the time that there would be a 22 day war that would further devastate the Gaza Strip." Pauline McNeill MSP
Funds for the convoy were raised via a Fundraising Gig at G2 in Glasgow, by Glasgow Central Mosque as well as a successful application for funds from the Scottish Government.
Pauline's blog on the convoy's journey and photographs from the trip follow:
After extensive negotiations with the Egyptian authorities, the Rafah border was opened for the convoy. The first group of us entered Gaza with a small consignment of aid bought in Egypt with the money raised. A few days later, the main consignment of aid from Scotland, including medical aid and equipment donated by the Scottish public and collected by Members of the Scottish Parliament through their local pharmacies was able to enter Gaza.
We were told that we are lucky, indeed special, that we managed to get through to Gaza. Glasgow Central Mosque representatives were part of the team having raised £40,000, while the Almaazan Ladies Mosque raised an additional £10,000 when they heard of our mission. We passed a Palestinian man and child who tried to cross while the gate was open but they were turned back, a week ago 10,000 people were waiting to cross. It is now desolate and we were the only people in the Building apart from the staff. Our reception party had been waiting since the day before, as we initially planned to cross that day but the day was changed. Everything is tricky and slow to co-ordinate there, and takes so much time. I have been in Gaza twice before, the last time in November 2008 when the siege was in full effect, I didn't know what to expect after the 22 day bombing campaign in December/January. Most of our Aid is destined for the Um an-Nasr Health Clinic in one of the poorest areas of Jabalia.
The remainder of the Convoy team, headed by Denis Rutovitz of Edinburgh Direct Aid remained in Cairo to ensure that the aid flying from Scotland cleared customs and to ensure the safe delivery of medicines and equipment to clinics and hospitals in Gaza. Fortunately, the British Embassy in Cairo have extensive experience in dealing with aid convoys, having dealt with the convoy led by George Galloway MP. The ambassador and his staff have been crucial in negotiating our entry. They have explained that the Egyptian authorities are under a lot of pressure and they don't make it easy for anyone to enter Gaza. The second trenche of medical aid and equipment, including that collected by MSPs from local pharmacies and donated by Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health board finally entered Gaza on 30th April and I am delighted that the medical aid and equipment collected in Scotland arrived in Gaza, completing the Scotland to Gaza mission 2009. The people of Gaza know that Scotland has played its part in responding to the Humanitarian crisis. On their return, myself and other members of the Convoy team will discuss what long-term assistance can be provided from Scotland.
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Um an-Nasr Clinic in Jabalia to which we donated a significant portion of the medicine and to whom we gave a large donation for spending on medical projects. |
These are the girls of a family who lost 19 members of their family in the war, both parents are dead. Glasgow central mosque donated money for their journalism club at Khan Yunis Community Centre and to the family.
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Pauline with a Woman with diabetes who is unable to move. She does not appear to be being treated properly and her family are extremely poor and unable to afford the medicine required. Glasgow Central Mosque made a donation to the family in order to provide for her care. |
Pauline, Shamin Ahmed & Shalim Mohammad from Glasgow Central Mosque with medical supplies for Gaza after crossing the Rafah border.
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Pauline's article in the Scotsman newspaper on her experiences in Gaza