Los Angeles, Calif. - International Medical Corps (IMC) has has activated its regional response team and has secured emergency health kits for shipment into Gaza in response to the growing humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces.

International Medical Corps is working with long-time partner, Heart-to-Heart International, to secure additional medications and critical emergency supplies, in coordination with local humanitarian partners in the region. IMC is appealing for cash donations to its Gaza Emergency Fund, which will help in delivering desperately needed medical supplies, food, water and other necessities to the civilian population. International Medical Corps has a team in the region and is monitoring the situation closely.

The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that in Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli military operation on December 27, 2008, 491 people have died and approximately 2,400 have been injured. At least 20 percent of the fatalities and 40 percent of the injuries are women and children. In addition, four Israelis have been killed and 46 injured by Hamas rocket attacks.

Gaza's already fragile public health infrastructure has been overburdened by the number of casualties, making humanitarian intervention all the more critical. The World Health Organization has stated that hospitals are unable to cope with a situation of this magnitude, adding that there already are shortages of essential and life-saving medicines.

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.