Save the Chan al-Ahmar Community

Chan al-Ahmar once again under threat of demolition

Chan al-Ahmar is a Bedouin community consisting of several dozen families, around 150–200 people. This is not the first attempt to evict its residents. Israel took steps in this direction already in 2018, but the plans were halted following international protests. The current plans are part of a broader policy concerning the central West Bank. According to human rights organizations, this area is crucial for the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state and for the possibility of a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Polish Medical Mission has been operating on the ground since 2024

Since 2024, Polish Medical Mission has been carrying out humanitarian activities in Chan al-Ahmar as part of a project co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

These activities include, among others:

• weekly mobile clinic visits,
• psychosocial sessions for children and families,
• adaptation and furnishing of buildings used for educational and medical activities.

Due to the tense political situation in the West Bank, Chan al-Ahmar has very limited access to healthcare. That is why we have supported it with mobile clinics and created child-friendly spaces – says Ewa Piekarska-Dymus from Polish Medical Mission.
– Residents also face daily threats from Israeli settlers who regularly use violence against the local population. Children and their families live in a state of constant heightened alert. When sounds of settlers’ vehicles are heard during our activities, children immediately stop learning or playing out of fear.

The results of years of humanitarian support are at risk

In addition to medical and psychosocial activities, Polish Medical Mission, together with local partners, has adapted and furnished selected community buildings. These spaces have been prepared to host regular educational and medical activities. All work carried out in Chan al-Ahmar is co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If the decision on demolition and relocation of Chan al-Ahmar is implemented, these people will become homeless almost overnight. We will also lose the results of three years of assistance funded by Polish taxpayers – comments Małgorzata Olasińska-Chart from Polish Medical Mission.
– We have already managed to stop such a decision once. We have reported the case to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We hope that together we will be able to prevent this tragedy.