Sussexes Witness Humanitarian Crisis in Jordan During Two-Day Visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, embarked on a poignant two-day visit to Jordan, focusing on humanitarian efforts for refugees. Their itinerary included emotional meetings with injured teenagers evacuated from Gaza to receive urgent medical care in Amman.
Emotional Encounters at Specialty Hospital
At the private Specialty Hospital in Amman, Meghan appeared visibly moved as she met 17-year-old Jaber, a Palestinian teenager from Gaza whose legs were shattered and held together by a metal frame. Jaber was shot while attempting to collect humanitarian food for his family, an incident linked to the now-disbanded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Meghan told him, "I'm so glad you're getting the treatment that you need" during his assessment.
Dr. Hamzeh Odeh, the emergency department manager, explained the severity of the injuries, stating, "This is what you expect from war, they're war injuries. But some of the injuries are not directly related to the war, it's because of the lack of doctors, lack of medication." The metal rods in Jaber's legs, intended for weeks, have remained for months, causing complications that necessitated this hospital visit.
Trauma and Recovery for Young Survivors
The couple also met 14-year-old Maria from Gaza, who suffered severe trauma and PTSD after an explosion killed six family members, including her parents, with only one brother surviving. She sustained burns to her legs, leading to the amputation of toes on her right foot. During her hospital visit for dressing changes under anaesthetic, Meghan crouched to speak with her, while Harry looked pained as her blanket was removed to show the dressings and her foot, with her permission.
These evacuations are part of the "Jordanian Medical Corridor" initiative, announced last year by Jordan's King Abdullah, which transports children and young people needing treatment following the recent war in Gaza. Dr. Odeh noted that ambulances from his hospital periodically evacuate Gazan patients from the Israeli border.
Lighter Moments at Za'atari Refugee Camp
Earlier in their visit, Harry and Meghan experienced a lighter moment at the Za'atari refugee camp, home to tens of thousands of Syrians who fled conflict under President Bashar al-Assad. They joined young girls for a football skills session, where Meghan scored a penalty, but Harry's shot was saved by a young female footballer, leaving Meghan with bragging rights.
Impact and Appreciation from Medical Staff
Dr. Odeh expressed gratitude for the Sussexes' visit, saying, "It encourages us first of all, and it's a message for us – they have a very beautiful touch of humanity and it affects us. We take it as appreciation from them to come and say 'thank you' for our work – it's like a very good push forward." The visit highlighted the ongoing humanitarian efforts to support Syrians and Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in Jordan over decades, focusing on health and wellbeing amidst ongoing conflicts.
