Edith Hejberg
Previous delays have proved deadly, with some children dying before their cases were approved for evacuation.
More than 100 critically ill and injured children in Gaza are waiting in hope after the UK government announced plans to bring them to Britain for urgent NHS treatment.
The scheme, revealed on Sunday, aims to help those in severe medical need who cannot access care in Gaza.
Campaigners Welcome — But Urge Speed
While charities and campaigners welcomed the move, they stressed that action must be immediate.
A Proven Model Already in Place
Project Pure Hope (PPH), a UK-based charity, has privately evacuated three children this year. Its founder, NHS healthcare executive Omar Din, says their process could serve as a ready-made blueprint for the government’s taxpayer-funded scheme.
The Urgent Backdrop in Gaza
The announcement comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions. Since 7 October, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, and Israel’s aid blockade has left many facing starvation.
The World Health Organization estimates 12,500 patients need to be evacuated from Gaza for treatment.
Legal Pressure on the Government
Calls for action intensified last month when a charity launched legal proceedings against the government for failing to arrange medical evacuations, breaking with historical precedent. More than 100 MPs also urged ministers to act.
Dozens of Children Ready to Travel
Charities already have detailed lists of children in need. PPH has identified 30–50, while Children Not Numbers (CNN) has 60 urgent cases.
All have medical documentation ready and could travel with a guardian, and possibly siblings, if approved.
Lessons from Abroad
Countries including Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE have evacuated more than 7,000 patients since April.
Din argues the UK should match such efforts, leveraging both the NHS and private healthcare resources to expand capacity.
Tragic Delays with Real Consequences
One child with severe burns covering 40% of his body was transferred to Italy instead of the UK because official discussions dragged on.
A one-year-old boy with a congenital condition was also evacuated elsewhere after delays.
A Call to Scale Up Immediately
PPH says the government now has a fully mapped-out pathway for rapid evacuations, all that’s needed is the political will to scale up quickly and save lives before it’s too late.
Charities Standing by for the Green Light
CNN says 71 children they were assisting have died since they first appealed to the government in November 2024.
The charity insists it is ready to begin evacuations the moment approvals are granted, but waits on the UK and Israeli authorities to sign off.
