By Ejaz Khan

  Mersiha Gadzo , speaking to Radio Islam LIVE from Gaza, Palestine, gave an update on the situation on the ground,  on the arrival of the Holy month of Ramadaan

  “Everyone here has been excited to welcome Ramadaan

Entire city is covered in lit lanterns, there’s a great atmosphere here”

  But that the same time she informed us of the reality facing Gazans:

  “Salaries have been cut  by 30% so families are really feeling the pinch

Economy was already struggling, Gaza has One of the highest unemployment rates in the world

Walking thru the old town in Gaza City , the area is so crowded you can barely walk through
There aren’t enough actual customers as before”

The electricity shortage does not make life any easier:

 “Devastating…Gaza’s only power source shut down in April.

Everything power related has been

Hospitals affected

Surgery are being postponed
Newborn babies, patients in the ICU are particular effected, dialysis patients at risk, it’s a huge problem.

Doctors really struggling.

It’s never been as difficult as its been now. And they have no idea what they are going to do”

 “If there is no electricity, then there is no life “

On Patients who need to be treated outside of Gaza:

 Referrals of patients to be treated in Occupied west bank because Gaza doesn’t have the reosurces to deal with these patients, exit permits have been rejected, or they are asked to provide information about neighbors, friends, etc in exchange for medical assistance.

On the positive side to the Gaza story, she mentioned the spirit of the people:

“The most positive people I have ever met in my life. They’re all such Strong fighters. They don’t give up.
Its become part of their lives living in difficulty but they carry on”

“Memorizing the Quran, there are programmes for everyone!A programme for Visually impaired to be able to Learn the Quran in under a month. Amazing.
Also Those who can’t hear, learn Quraan through sign language.  
Everyone wants to have a nice normal life and that’s what they are trying to do here in Gaza.”

 Ejaz Khan is the International Content Producer at Radio Islam International

Twitter : @ejaz_k