Doctors Without Borders’ Emily Callahan Shares Her Experience Working In Gaza

CNN’s Anderson Cooper chats with Emily Callahan, an American nurse with Doctors Without Borders, who shares a chilling account of her experience in Gaza while trying to leave the place.

Callahan’s Palestinian colleagues informed her before evacuating that they were going to die while saving as many people as they could. Despite the risks, according to Callahan, medical professionals in Gaza are opting to stay in the warzone to offer urgent medical assistance.

“The doctors and nurses I worked with in Gaza are some of the bravest people I have ever met,” Callahan said. “I’m finding a hard time finding joy in any of this because me being safe, is the result of having to leave people behind.”

Callahan discussed the significant difficulties faced in delivering medical assistance amidst the conflict. According to Callahan, they had to carry out emergency surgeries while hearing the sound of shelling and airstrikes outside. Additionally, there were instances where the hospital trembled due to nearby impacts.

Callahan, who had evacuated to safety, shared her experience in order to bring attention to the crisis in Gaza.

She expressed her desire for people to be aware of the true events taking place on the ground, emphasizing the loss of lives among medical workers and civilians due to shortages of essential resources and the inability to seek necessary medical care elsewhere.

Callahan recalled the help from the national staff, who did not leave their side: “Without the help of the national staff, we would have died within a week,” Callahan said.

If your interest lies in volunteering with Doctors Without Borders, you can find additional information here.