Gaza Mission Part Deux: Team 1

Team 1 consist of 7 team members. We were formed as part of the WHO-EMT SCT (Surgical Cell Team). We were supposed to be a team who can function as an OT team wherever we are being sent. It was a very general TOR because that was the only information given and expected of us. Where, How and When we would not know and we had to depend on the previous teams notes and experience while they were in Gaza. We were definitely not clear about our specific role and assignment. 

Let me introduced you to the group. We were divided into 2 groups for our flight into Cairo. There was always the possibility that any of us denied for entry especially if we go in a big group. Group of 4 or 3 seems less suspicious. We were not supposed to reveal our real purpose going into Cairo etc.

Together with me on my flight was Kak Zah, S/N Yati and Pak Hafiz. I've met Pak Hafiz and Yati before in the previous mission to Nepal in 2015. Pak Hafiz was in team 1 as well and it was certainly a story then with him! Yati came later after we/ve started our field hospital. It was glad to see the old faces. Yati currently works as a clinical nurse in IMU and she deals with academics more. I knew from Mercy Malaysia's posts that she has been an active volunteer going for various missions. 

Kak Zah is probably the eldest volunteer Mercy Malaysia has had ever. She is in her 70s and seemed to bevery committed to the mission. She is a very experienced midwife and worked in hospital management admin during her last few years of service. She was certainly very energetic and having that kind of positive energy with us was important. During this flight she was supposed to be my auntie and we were in Cairo as tourists! We actually rehearsed this a few times in case we were being queried by the Egyptian immigration. We certainly had our laughs as often she would suddenly answer tangentially during our mock interviews.

 Kamarul Haqq - orthopaedic trauma ulung was in the other team. I have blogged about him before and again it was such a nice feeling when were introduced during the online taaruf. Dr Al-Amin - a senior surgeon who had been to Gaza many years before was in the team as well. I got to know him better afterwards during the mission.

 https://mafeitz.blogspot.com/2014/08/gaza-mission-chronicles-from-volunteer.html 

And of course the team leader was Pak Azam, Mercy Malaysia's main man over the years. I first met him in Ormoc, Philippines for the Thyphoon Yolanda response. He was a very calm and learned man; the best person to lead this mission by far. I have learnt a lot from him and gathered my experience of disaster response and humanitarian work thus far. 

Myself? The anaesthetist of the team and all of us together will be known as Team 1 MM. 

 We were very nervous of course - because we knew we could be asked to turn back at anytime during this trip. Alhamdulillah, it was a breeze in Cairo airport. There was a bit of a worrying moment when Kak Zah was asked to wait in front of the imiigration officer. She kept smiling and giggling and that made Pak Hafiz uncomfortable. It happened that there was a scanning issue of her passport and she was let through without any issues later. 

Here we were in Cairo, all seemed busy and typical. 

The Gaza Mission Part Deux: Leaving on a jet plane

Everything was kept under wraps because of two reasons. The first was it wasn't sanctioned by the government of Malaysia, Two because it is not confirmed until we step inside the real soil Gaza! It was that uncertain. But things were certainly moving really fast. Once our names were given the thumbs up by Gaza, then the tons of paperwork that had to be done by Masniza ( our Mercy Malaysia coordinator for this mission to WHO/UN and whatever agencies that needs to be. 

 

We had our online meetings done a few times with the initial date of entering Gaza was supposed to be the 1st week of February - but we got rejected and had to reapply for the next date. Whilst doing all this, nobody knew I was going except for the group. Eka and my parents had no clue about this at all. Totally zilch.  

Then the date was approved, we were scheduled to fly from KL on the 17th of February, Saturday morning. The first person I informed was Qayyum which was on the Wednesday. I went to PASUM to meet him up; it was then that I informed him that he had the honour to know it first. it was in ZUS cafe UM that I explained it was possible that I may not return and I am preparing him for that. I told him he will have to lead the family when I left. He was speechless because of course he did not expect this at all. Knowing at the same time the chaos in Gaza through the social media. I saw tears in his eyes as there was with me too. I left with him the necessary instructions of what to do if he received bad news about me; my account bank number and all the contact persons involved. 

 

Later I met Azad and informed him as well. He is my most trusted person in my life hence I gave him the honor to help sort things out if something did not go right with this mission. These were the only people who knew about this, even my parents were not notified of this departure. I'm sure they will know later once I am there. 

 

Telling my wife Eka was not easy. I totally did not know what to expect but I was fully prepared for the anger that she may project knowing how very last minute I told her. Eusoff just turned 1 and we were just recovering from organizing the massive party we had.  I was prepared for her to react negatively towards my intention of going to Gaza. What was my logic doing this? Well.. kalau last minit nak marah pun sekejap je kena endure and by then I''m off away.. haha 

 

To my upmost surprise, she reacted very rational. Too calm yet accepting stragiht away. Yes she cried but not because of anger; because she knew that I really wanted to do this. This was in fact my dream to step into Gaza as I;ve told her many times about my failed attempt in 2014. She knew I was being my usual self as a humanitarian to serve and to my surprise, she was in fact HAPPY for me! She even apologixed to me because she was angry with me not planning to attend Marissa's birthday do because I could not tell her I was not going to be around! She was truly sincere and very lovingly supportive hence this is the story about how I told my wife.. 2 days before leaving for Gaza. 

Qayyum made a point that he said he wanted to send me at the airport. In the early morning of the 17th February 2024 we made our way to KLIA. Guess in which car? Yes.. the trusted steed of Perdana V6 101 because I did not trust Qayyum to drive my car haha It was certainly a wobbly drive and I do still remember how panicky Qayyum was negotiating the driveway in the KLIA parking. 

The Gaza Mission Part Deux 2024- its on

And so with that conversation with Pak Azam, it was on. I did ask who else would be in the team and he mentioned Kamarul Haq Orthopaedics Specialist . Subhanallah.. Allahu Akbar. In a way I was really happy to know that Kamarul will be joining this Mission. Yes, the same Kamarul who was with me in the failed 2014 mission to enter Gaza. I have vowed with him that one day we will enter Gaza together, and at that moment it looked to be that the promise will be fulfilled. Kamarul has had lots of experience since 2014; joining MSF and being deployed to Afghanistan and Syria. He is a decorated member of MSF as he survived the unthinkable bombing of Kunduz hospital. And here he is, definitely more ready than ever. 

However, it was not that easy to enter Gaza. We as Malaysians can never enter Gaza with our passport! ever! Maybe a short visiting pass like they do to visit AlAqsa in the West Bank. How was it possible to enter the land controlled by the Israelis? Apparently, as Mercy Malaysia had their Field Hospital being accredited by WHO in their standards - we are a part of their big family of EMT( Emergency Team) which will meet and respond to emergencies around the world. At this moment in time, the crisis was in Gaza and there were mutiple suggestions of how the support can be given. Via the WHO EMT, it was suggested that SCT (Surgical Cell Team) to be formed in a group of 5-7 to support the need of emergency surgeries across Gaza hospitals. It is through this initiative that Mercy Malaysia seemed to have the upper hand amongst all the Malaysian NGOs to enter Gaza. 

The first obstacle was to submit  our names to be cleared by COGAT. (Coordination of Government Activities in Teritories (occupied territory really..) which is directly under the Government of Israel. If our names at rejected at this point, then forget entering Gaza. We were adviced to go easy on our social media regarding the genocide from the early days - for this particular possible filtering. Once our names were cleared then the next step was via the Cairo WHO office and UNDS to clear us off before we can be set on our dates to cross. Imagine, between 1 February to the day we left for Egypt , we did not really know when we were going and we were expected to be ready 24/7 and be deployed. 

 At this moment in time, I have yet to inform any of my family members especially my wife that I will be going to Gaza. I believe I should not jump the gun untul I have had confirmation of the dates I will be going. Gila last minute!! Haha But yeah, my heart went overdrive in the 2 weeks befoe leaving as we patiently wait for the update of our movement. We were not supposed to let people know anyway as the government of Malaysia gave a direct strict reprimand against Malaysians going to Gaza in this period of time. 

I was just praying and praying that everything will workout and despite the last minute notice, nothing will stop me to go. I have revised all my accounts and collected all passwords and contact persons with whatever money that I have. Sort of a living will for things to be done if I happen not to come back.