Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for a future where every Palestinian has access to a comprehensive, effective and locally-led system of healthcare, and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity.

To achieve this, we work in collaboration with Palestinian communities and trusted local partners to answer a wide range of health and social needs, from providing vital medical aid in emergencies, to supporting the development of better health services for the long term. We also uplift the voices of Palestinians, and campaign for an end to the barriers to health and dignity that come from living through occupation, displacement, discrimination and conflict.

Our vision

A future in which all Palestinians can access an effective, sustainable and locally-led system of healthcare and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity.

Our mission

To work for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees.

Our goal

The full realisation of the health and wellbeing potential of Palestinians, supported by a sustainable, high-quality, readily accessible and locally-led healthcare system.

Our organisational objectives
Our history

Between 16 and 18 September 1982, Lebanese Phalangist militants entered the Beirut refugee camp of Sabra and Shatila, and killed and injured hundreds of unarmed Palestinian and other civilians inside. The camp’s residents were defenceless.

The Israeli army, who had invaded Lebanon earlier that year and had surrounded the camp, had full knowledge of what was taking place inside, yet they never intervened. Instead, they illuminated the camp throughout the night by flares launched into the sky from helicopters and mortars.

Working in a hospital inside the camp at the time was a young orthopaedic surgeon from London, Dr Swee Chai Ang. Refusing to leave the hospital, Dr Ang worked tirelessly to save the injured and protect her patients during the massacre.

On her return to London, Dr Ang joined with fellow medical professionals and humanitarians to establish Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), in order to send doctors and nurses to work in the Palestinian refugee camps and provide frontline care.

MAP today

Since then, MAP has been working with Palestinian communities, to deliver locally-led health and medical care to those worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement.

Today we have offices in the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem, Lebanon and London. With our extensive local knowledge and experience, we work closely with communities, hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers to coordinate care and medical aid even where there are severe restrictions on access.

MAP provides immediate medical aid to those in need at times of crisis, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system.

We are also committed to speaking out against injustices that prevent Palestinians from fully enjoying their rights to health and dignity, and campaign to ensure the voices of Palestinians impacted by occupation, displacement and conflict are heard at the highest levels.

We’ve been working with palestinian communities for
37 years

In 2020 we spent
£8 million
on our programmes across palestine and Lebanon

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