HEAP*: Healthcare Programs Support (Gaza)
* Higher Education Access for Palestine

The picture in Gaza remains grave. Many continue to be displaced or homeless, infrastructure is still largely destroyed, and hospitals or clinics remain severely damaged. Gaza’s existing health system is drastically short of medical equipment, medication, power and water, and is acutely understaffed. As attacks continue, hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, yet only partially functional. The ongoing blockade limits the care that can be provided and increases the spread of disease. CEPAL’s newest initiative raises funds to support Palestinian students in health or medical studies. Very importantly, it will enable them to continue their education inside Gaza. Despite significant destruction of buildings and labs, it employs resident faculty and utilizes local resources, which are vital to rebuilding Gaza’s healthcare system. 

HEAP: Healthcare Programs Support provides present access to education for doctors and other healthcare practitioners, and helps to strengthen and rebuild Gaza’s training and healthcare system for the future. University faculty members have continued teaching online, reopened limited in-person classes in repaired or borrowed rooms and, where possible, maintained hospital-based clinical training. Medical students inside Gaza have already become part of emergency health response. Junior students continue theoretical coursework remotely (where possible), while students in their clinical years already train and assist doctors in overwhelmed, besieged, and partially destroyed hospitals. Their education has become inseparable from service. 

What kinds of specific aid does this program give?

Support comes in the form of tuition assistance and is paid directly to four participating universities in Gaza. This is in lieu of cash to students, paid out through banks or online funding orgs that keep a significant share of donations. This form of support helps students remain enrolled. It also helps sustain local universities that are working to educate Gaza’s future health professionals. Already, in 2026, we supported seven Gazan students in the health and wellness sector (see below). In 2026, our plan is to augment the number of supported students, and begin to further assist 25 medical students from Gaza who are currently training in Egypt. As well, HEAP is exploring other forms of future support, such as textbooks, devices, internet connectivity, study spaces, and living expenses.

How Can You Help?

Your contributions help Palestinian students overcome education barriers to build a better future for healthcare in Gaza.

Help us make a lasting impact!

Note: We use the Zeffy platform, which ensures that 100% of every donation goes to our programs. In the list of suggested further amounts to direct to Zeffy, donors can choose “Other”, and enter a non-menu, preferred %.