A day in the life of a volunteer paramedic in Gaza
The daughter of PRCS volunteer paramedic Mahmoud Abu Salah kisses his hand in the early morning as he gets on his motorcycle to go to work at PRCS Khan Yunis station, Gaza.ICRC/Mohammed Mansour
Upon arrival at the PRCS station, Mahmoud meets other volunteers. They chat about their upcoming day in the field.ICRC/Mohammed Mansour
On their way to the border area in eastern Khan Yunis, Mahmoud and other volunteers prepare first aid equipment and tools for the field hospital that receives people wounded in the border protests.ICRC/Mohammed Mansour
Mahmoud and his colleagues evacuate a person wounded in the protests and take him to the field hospital set up by the PRCS.ICRC/Mohammed Mansour
Inside the field hospital Mahmoud checks on a person wounded in the protests.ICRC/Mohammed Mansour
Mahmoud meets with friends around an evening fire after a long day saving lives.ICRC/Mohammed Mansour
By: Mohammed Mansour
First responders play a crucial role providing lifesaving assistance to people injured in Gaza border violence, often at great personal risk. In this photo story, Gaza-based photographer Mohammed Mansour draws an intimate portrait of a Palestine Red Crescent Society paramedic, Mahmoud Abu Salah who is also his close friend. Mahmoud's story features dramatic shots of the paramedic evacuating the injured from the border, making his way through smoke and tear gas to a makeshift field hospital.
What gives it its power and depth, however, are quiet behind the scenes moments showing that people committing heroic acts remain vulnerable and human. Saying goodbye to the family, chatting with fellow volunteers as a long shift begins or sharing a moment of camaraderie sitting around a fire draw an honest and tender portrait of the life of a man who volunteers his time to do humanitarian work.
