The ongoing occupation in Palestine has led to numerous challenges, particularly in the healthcare sector, where limited government funding has resulted in inadequate access to quality medical services. Organizations like the Red Crescent work hard to fill these gaps, but the demand often exceeds the available resources. This situation has attracted international doctors and nurses who are eager to offer their medical expertise and make a difference. Volunteer in Palestine, a dedicated organization that connects volunteers with impactful opportunities in the region, plays a crucial role in facilitating this support and providing chances for medical volunteering in Palestine.
Volunteer in Palestine offers various pathways for medical professionals to contribute, whether through short-term placements or longer-term commitments. The need for medical assistance in Palestine is significant, and this article will explore the different ways in which you can help address the healthcare challenges faced by the Palestinian people.
Where in Palestine to Do Medical Volunteering
The places with the best infrastructure for receiving medical volunteers tend to be in the bigger cities like Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Hebron. Having said that, international organizations try to operate in all areas of the country – for example in the villages in the countryside, the Bedouin camps in the West Bank, and the smaller cities like Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jericho.
Who Can Join Us?
Volunteering and internship opportunities in Palestine have been gaining increasing attention each year, particularly in the areas of education, community development, human rights, and support for refugees and Palestinian children. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer, a first-time contributor, part of a group, or a family, there are meaningful ways for individuals from various backgrounds to engage in the West Bank and immerse themselves in Palestinian culture.
Regardless of your background, skills, age, or abilities, we offer opportunities that align with your passion and commitment. Join us in making a positive impact in Palestine.
When Can You Join Us And For How Long?
Volunteers, interns, and Arabic students who would like to go to Palestine and the West Bank can join our programs for 1-13 weeks at any time of the year (summer, winter, fall, and spring). We are flexible with starting and ending dates.
Choosing the Right Opportunity for You
It’s vital to choose a volunteer program that works for you. Many organizations operate in Palestine, but to ensure you have a positive experience and your work creates as big an impact as possible, you need to do a lot of research. Look through all the organizations offering these sorts of programs online and choose the one that looks like the best fit for you. Make sure to read testimonials from former volunteers, to ensure that their experiences match up to your expectations of what an organization is promising you.
Is It Safe to Work in Palestine?
It is not safe to work in Gaza – the area is still undergoing an ongoing siege and it is not recommended for international visitors or volunteers to go there. However, the situation is comparatively stable in the West Bank, despite the Occupation with most government’s travel advice labeling a safe enough place to go.
There are of course occasional outbreaks of violence, but these are highly localized to individual areas and as a foreigner, your freedom of movement is not affected (once you have obtained a visa on arrival). As long as you are sensible with your movements, it is easy to avoid any outbreaks of violence and the issue is so minor for international visitors that Palestine has been growing as a tourist destination in recent years.
How to Prepare for a Medical Volunteering Role
First of all, it’s a good idea to read up on what sort of medical conditions are most prevalent in Palestine. Beyond the usual diseases you will find in the Middle East, there are also conditions relating to the Occupation. In psychological terms, there are many stresses and traumas from living under Occupation – especially in the refugee camps where people have lost access to their homes and ancestral lands. Likewise, trauma wounds have a higher incidence than usual here. In addition, be sure to take care of your health. Also, prepare by looking into what is appropriate behavior and clothing for the Middle East and taking note of any customs you should be aware of.
Volunteer or Intern in the Summer
Join us this summer for a unique and vibrant experience! Summer is when our organization is at its busiest, offering a variety of opportunities that go beyond traditionally similar programs. Whether you’re interested in volunteering or gaining professional experience through an internship, our summer programs are designed to make the most of your time abroad.
We offer volunteer placements and internships that allow you to engage directly with local communities and gain hands-on experience in your field of interest. Thanks to our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, these opportunities can also provide academic credit towards your studies, making them ideal for university or college students looking to enrich their summer break. However, if you’re not currently a student or aren’t seeking academic credit, you’re still welcome to participate.
If you’re interested in making a meaningful impact this summer, explore more about our volunteer and internship programs on our website.
Winter Volunteer Programs
Our Winter Volunteer and Internship Programs run from October to late March, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and community of Palestine during the cooler months. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, gaining practical experience through an internship, or exploring a new language and culture, our winter programs are tailored to provide a fulfilling and impactful experience.
Participants can choose to stay for anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, allowing for flexibility in how they engage with local communities and contribute to meaningful projects. Winter in Palestine offers a different pace and atmosphere, making it an ideal time to connect with the people, explore the region, and make a lasting impact.
Our Volunteer and Internship Programs
Volunteer in Palestine offers short-term volunteer and internship programs for people interested in going to Palestine, focusing on human rights, Palestinian children, women’s rights, journalism, teaching English, sports, medicine, Palestinian refugees, Palestinian culture and politics, Palestinian laws and legal system, and the political history and current situation of Palestine and Israel.
Our volunteer programs in Palestine are especially ideal for students and people looking for volunteer and internship programs in the summertime located in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East.
Our volunteer programs were developed for graduate and undergraduate students of Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, or political sciences, as well as professionals, employees of human rights organizations, scholars conducting case studies on Palestine and Israel, human aid workers, social workers, teachers, English native speakers, non-native speakers and anyone interested in engaging in Palestinian culture and daily life.
Here you may find the list of our volunteers and internships program in Palestine:
The Medical Volunteering Program With Volunteer in Palestine in Hebron
Volunteer in Palestine, based in Hebron in the West Bank, offers a medical volunteering program designed to direct medical assistance where it is most needed. Volunteers are guided by a liaison manager who assigns them to various settings based on immediate needs. This could include short-term, flexible placements in diverse environments such as Bedouin villages, city hospitals, or rural areas, depending on the urgency of the medical requirements.
Additionally, there are opportunities for longer-term placements of up to three months, which is the maximum duration allowed under an Israeli tourist visa. This extended involvement allows volunteers to contribute more significantly to the local healthcare system and build a deeper understanding of the communities they are assisting.
Impact of Volunteering or Interning in Palestine
Our Volunteer and Internship programs in the West Bank, Palestine are well-researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian legal affairs and human rights.
We aim to make a long-term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as others including Palestinian children, refugees, youth, and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.
Volunteer and Internship Programs in Gaza
Gaza Strip offers a variety of volunteer and internship programs. They cover important topics like human rights, teaching English, women’s rights in Palestine, supporting Palestinian refugees and children, journalism, Palestinian culture, and politics.
The volunteer and internship opportunities in Gaza, Palestine are for a wide range of people, including students who study the Middle East and Arabic, people interested in politics, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, researchers studying Palestine and Israel, humanitarian workers, social workers, teachers, native English speakers, non-native English speakers, and anyone who wants to learn about Palestinian culture and daily life. If you want to learn more, please click here.
Internship opportunities in Gaza primarily center in cities like Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah, Deir al-Balah, and Jabalia. Gaza City, the region’s economic and cultural hub, offers internships with NGOs, media outlets, and universities in fields such as humanitarian aid, human rights, and education. Khan Younis and Rafah, known for their refugee populations, provide internships focused on community development, refugee support, and agricultural projects. Deir al-Balah and Jabalia offer opportunities in areas like environmental conservation, health clinics, and social services, particularly within refugee camps. These internships allow you to engage directly with communities while gaining valuable experience in a complex environment.
Volunteer in the West Bank
Volunteering in the West Bank offers a unique opportunity to engage with Palestinian communities in cities like Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron, each with its distinct cultural and historical significance. In Ramallah, the administrative hub, you can work with NGOs focused on human rights, youth development, and education. Bethlehem, known for its religious heritage, offers opportunities in community centers, schools, and refugee support, while Hebron, with its rich history and complex political landscape, is ideal for those interested in peace-building and human rights monitoring. Other cities like Nablus and Jenin provide volunteer experiences in cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and support for local artisans and refugees.
Cities like Jericho, Tulkarem, and Qalqilya present opportunities to volunteer in environmental conservation, rural development, and educational programs, often within communities facing unique challenges due to the political situation. Whether you want to explore teaching, cultural initiatives, or social services, the West Bank offers a diverse range of volunteer experiences that allow you to contribute meaningfully while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture and daily life.
Reviews and Awards
Volunteer in Palestine has been offering its services since 2011. Throughout the years, we have been developing many programs and online courses. We use the most advanced methods which we develop and enhance year after year. Education and learning is an active process that is always advancing, and you will be part of the development.
Despite continuous program improvements for the best learning experience, our core goal remains: connecting, teaching, and developing individuals for the benefit of them and the community. Additionally, we aim to promote and encourage exchange in the local and international communities.
We continue to strive towards excellence:
In 2022, we ranked as “one of the top three organizations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities”. We also ranked as “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. Among others, Volunteer in Palestine earned recognition as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits”. Besides that, we were also one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”.
In 2021, we were one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories of “best language school”, “fun”, and “teaching”.
In 2019, we received our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards”. This award was a recognition of Volunteer in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community. You can check our ratings below.
- +800 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +160 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
Conclusion
Volunteering in Palestine offers a vital opportunity for medical professionals to contribute to a region facing significant healthcare challenges due to ongoing occupation and limited resources. Through organizations like Volunteer in Palestine, medical volunteers can engage in impactful work across various settings, from bustling cities like Ramallah and Hebron to remote villages and refugee camps. These roles not only provide crucial support where it is most needed but also offer volunteers a chance to deeply immerse themselves in the local culture and contribute meaningfully to the community.
By participating in these programs, volunteers can address urgent medical needs while gaining invaluable experience in a complex and dynamic environment. Whether you are interested in short-term or longer-term placements, your involvement will help bridge the gap in healthcare services and foster cultural exchange. This hands-on experience promises to be both professionally rewarding and personally transformative, making a significant difference in the lives of those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Find Out More
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880
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