16 April 2025
In response to a joint request from the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response and the European Commissioner for Health, Luxembourg is taking part in the European MEDEVAC medical evacuation programme for injured or sick people from the Gaza Strip. This operation is part of a call for assistance issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) via the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism.
On the basis of the information presented by the Minister for Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez, and the Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Xavier Bettel, the Council of Government agreed to take in two patients, each accompanied by a family member.
After being evacuated from the Gaza Strip via Eilat – Ramon international airport to Bucharest by the Romanian authorities, Luxembourg Air Ambulance, using the flight times dedicated to medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) under the emergency.lu system, transferred the patients to Luxembourg on 10 April 2025.
Nationally coordinated mobilisation
The Ministry of Health and Social Security is responsible for the overall coordination of the operation, working closely with the WHO and the Luxembourg hospitals involved. On arrival, the patients were cared for by teams from the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Service (CGDIS), who provided medical transport.
The Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation and Foreign Trade is funding accommodation and psychosocial care via a project implemented by the Luxembourg Red Cross. It is also organising the logistical aspects in conjunction with Luxembourg Air Ambulance, in close collaboration with the CGDIS, the government’s focal point within the European Civil Protection Mechanism.