Contribution from the Civil Society Forum on Drugs in the EU on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine

Since 7 October 2023, the attention of the international community has been drawn to Israel and Palestine, where war has escalated dramatically. The war has also occupied a central stage at the proceedings of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held from 23rd to 25th October, and it is likely to have an important role in the coming meetings of the CND.

Following the precedent of prior contributions on the situation in Ukraine, CSFD aims to gather information from civil society organisations from the region on the impact of the ongoing war on drug services and the situation of people who use drugs in Palestine. This submission collates some extracts from correspondence with NGOs in the region until 10 November 2023, background information, and recommendations by international bodies.

The CSFD urges the EU institutions and the HDG to monitor closely the situation in the region, and to ensure that the continuity of drug services and of access to medicines is part of both the EU’s humanitarian response and of its interventions at the CND and other international fora.

The full submission can be accessed under 'Downloads'.