Resources for communities affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel

cohealth is deeply distressed by the humanitarian crisis in Israel and Gaza. The attacks on hospitals and healthcare professionals are in direct contradiction of international law. Doctors, nurses, and other workers should always be protected as they provide humanitarian aid in times of conflict.

We join calls from around the world for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Read our position statement here.

As a health service that has always worked closely with Victoria’s refugee communities, and has seen first-hand the devastation and trauma caused by conflict and displacement, we know that many people in our communities are hurting. Our thoughts are with them. The list of resources below has been put together to support the health and wellbeing of people impacted by this violence. 

Support from cohealth

• cohealth’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health team is available for health and social support for anyone from a refugee or asylum seeker background.
• people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds can see cohealth doctors even if they don’t have a Medicare card.
• cohealth counselling services are also available for refugees, asylum seekers, and people impacted by the violence.

Support outside of cohealth

• Witness to War,  a free and confidential multilingual telephone hotline for people in Australia affected by overseas conflicts from the Forum of Australian Services to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT). Staffed by mental health practitioners and bicultural support workers, Witness to War offers community members counselling, information about available support, and connections to other local services. Witness to War staff can speak to callers in Arabic, Hebrew, Dari, Ukrainian and English and in other languages with an interpreter. 
• Department of Health and Aged Care mental health resource pamplet. This is available in English, Arabic, Hebrew, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi and Vietnamese.
• Foundation House provides support for people from refugee backgrounds, their families, communities, and those who work with them.