Each healthcare professional is assessed individually before support can be granted. Verification is carried out by the management of Doctors in Need Foundation, with appropriate reporting to and oversight by the board.

Depending on the circumstances, the assessment may include:

• verification of identity and contact details;
• verification of diplomas, education and professional background;
• information about current medical activities;
• employment contracts or other supporting documents, where available;
• live conversations and direct contact;
• verification through local and international medical networks;
• recommendations and independent confirmation by other healthcare professionals;
• assessment of bank accounts, income, family circumstances and support from other sources;
• additional documents or checks where necessary.

Because of the exceptional circumstances in Gaza, not every check can be carried out in the same way. We therefore use a combination of formal documents, professional network checks, direct contact and proportionate verification measures. The safety and privacy of the healthcare professionals involved are central throughout this process.

No. The foundation began by supporting doctors, but now supports a broader group of healthcare professionals.

Depending on the level of need and the financial resources available, we may provide support to:

• doctors;
• nurses;
• dentists;
• pharmacists;
• midwives;
• medical students;
• other professionals who demonstrably contribute to healthcare

Each application is assessed individually. There is no automatic entitlement to admission or financial support.

Financial support is generally transferred periodically through recognised banks and financial institutions. Wherever possible, the amount is transferred directly to a verified personal account belonging to the healthcare professional.

The foundation records:

• who receives the payment;
• the amount transferred;
• when and by which payment method the payment is made;
• whether the recipient has confirmed receipt;
• whether there has been a delay, blockage or other problem.

When a transfer is delayed or blocked, the foundation investigates the issue together with the relevant bank or payment service provider. Recipients are asked to confirm receipt promptly and to report any problems immediately.

Despite severe shortages and rapidly changing circumstances, food, water, fuel, medicines and other basic necessities remain available to a limited extent through local markets and commercial channels.

Availability is uncertain, however, and prices are often exceptionally high. Something that is available at one moment may be unavailable or unaffordable shortly afterwards.

Financial support gives healthcare professionals some ability to pay for basic needs, transportation, temporary accommodation and other essential expenses. The foundation monitors the situation through direct contact and periodic updates.

Some healthcare professionals started a personal fundraising campaign before joining Doctors in Need. Such campaigns may be intended to cover accommodation, food, medical expenses, family needs, evacuation, education or other personal emergencies.

Een eigen campagne is niet automatisch een reden voor uitsluiting. Wel moet iedere deelnemer alle relevante inkomsten en vormen van externe ondersteuning aan de stichting melden. Deze informatie wordt meegenomen bij de beoordeling van de behoefte en de hoogte of voortzetting van de ondersteuning.

Doctors in Need does not provide a guaranteed salary or an unlimited financial entitlement. Support is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted if the participant’s financial or personal circumstances change.

Our added value lies primarily in continuity, careful guidance, periodic evaluation and personal contact through the buddy system.

Large international aid organisations play an indispensable role, but they often operate on a different scale and according to a different model. They generally support institutions, programmes or population groups and, for legal, operational or policy reasons, usually do not make regular direct payments to individual healthcare professionals.

Doctors in Need Foundation complements this existing assistance by directly supporting carefully verified healthcare professionals. In doing so, we help them continue their medical work under extreme circumstances.

Our approach is small-scale, personal and direct. It is not intended to replace international humanitarian aid, but to provide additional support to the local healthcare professionals who keep the healthcare system functioning every day.

Arabic names can be written in the Latin alphabet in different ways. There is not always one fixed transliteration. The same name may therefore be written, for example, as:

• Maryam
• Mariam
• Meryam
• Meriam

A person may also use a shortened name, a family name or another commonly used form of their name on social media that differs from the name used in official documents.

Palestinian names may consist of several parts, such as a first name, the father’s name, the grandfather’s name and a family name. Which parts a person uses in daily life may vary by individual, family, document or platform.

During verification, the foundation therefore checks not only the spelling of the name, but also official identity documents, contact details, professional documents and other supporting information.

The target reflects the scale and long-term nature of the medical and humanitarian need. The foundation provides periodic support to multiple healthcare professionals and aims to continue this support as steadily as possible and, when sufficient resources are available, to expand it.

Funds raised may be used for:

• periodic support for verified healthcare professionals;
• expansion to new healthcare professionals with demonstrated need;
• necessary transaction costs and secure payment processes;
• professional and psychosocial support;
• medical projects that fall within the foundation’s objectives;
• a responsible continuity reserve.

A high target does not mean that funds are paid out without assessment. Every expenditure is recorded in the financial administration and must contribute to the objectives of Doctors in Need Foundation.

No. The support is humanitarian assistance. It does not constitute an employment contract, a guaranteed salary or a permanent or unlimited entitlement.

The amount and duration of the support are reviewed periodically. Depending on the level of need, income, other sources of support, professional situation and available resources, support may:

• be continued;
• be increased;
• be reduced;
• be temporarily suspended;
• be ended.

The objective is a fair distribution based on demonstrated need, not an equal payment to every participant.

Participants’ circumstances are reassessed throughout the support period. They are asked to report relevant changes promptly, including:

• a new job or employment contract;
• a change in income;
• support from another organisation or fundraising campaign;
• the opening or closure of a bank account;
• a change in housing or family circumstances;
• evacuation, departure or relocation;
• a change in medical activities.

The foundation may also periodically request up-to-date bank statements, contracts, income information or other relevant supporting documents.

Failure to provide essential information, or deliberately withholding it, may affect the continuation of support.

A buddy is a volunteer in the Netherlands who maintains personal contact with a healthcare professional in Gaza. The buddy provides human, emotional and social support by maintaining regular contact, listening and showing involvement in personal and professional developments.

A buddy does not make decisions regarding:

• admission to the programme;
• the amount of financial support;
• payments
• financial checks;
• extension or termination of support;
• governance or legal measures.

These responsibilities rest with the management and, where necessary, the board.

Bank statements, income information, contracts, identity documents, medical information, family circumstances and internal correspondence are treated as confidential.

This information is shared only with individuals who require it for a governance, administrative or legal responsibility. It is not made public and is not shared with buddies, donors or other third parties without a valid legal basis.

Photographs, videos and personal stories are published only with appropriate consent and with due regard for safety, dignity and privacy.