TİKA Gave Hope to People with Hearing Impairment in Gaza

Thanks to the project implemented by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Al-Salam Association in the Gaza Strip, electronic hearing aids were provided to 30 people, especially children, suffering from hearing loss in the Gaza Strip, which is under blockade.

TİKA gave hope to people with hearing impairment by supporting the hearing aid project in the Gaza Strip, which is under blockade. Thanks to the project implemented by the Al-Salam Association in the Gaza Strip and supported by TİKA, hearing aids were provided to 30 people of all ages who have hearing loss for various reasons, especially Israeli attacks.

“The project touches the lives of people with hearing impairment.”

Deputy Manager of the Al-Salam Association Abdullah Haccar stated that the project for providing hearing aids to people with hearing impairment in the Gaza Strip was one of the most important projects on which they have worked. Haccar said, “We contacted several institutions to implement and finance the project. TİKA responded to us in a short time to undertake this project, which is vital for people with disabilities.” Noting that the project targeted those who have severe hearing loss whether due to Israeli attacks or for any other reason, Haccar said that what made this project valuable was that it was “a major milestone in the lives of people suffering from hearing loss.” Haccar expressed his gratitude to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and TİKA for their medical assistance for Palestinians.

“My son will get his life back thanks to this aid.”

Living in Al-Maghazi Refugee Camp, 13-year-old Farid Maslah suffered from hearing loss in both ears after the tear gas canister thrown by Israeli soldiers hit his head during the “Great March of Return” protests at Gaza border in August 2018. Maslah, who had serious health problems because of the tear gas canister that hit his head, started to hear partially thanks to the hearing aid provided as part of the project. Laila Maslah, the mother of Farid, stated that this injury did not only cause hearing loss but also increased the frequency of the seizures of his son, who has epilepsy. Noting that his son suffered from nearly complete hearing loss after the injury, Maslah said, “Due to poverty, we could neither get my son treated nor buy a hearing aid. My son will get his life back slowly thanks to this aid. I would like to thank Turkey and TİKA for their efforts.”