GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A nurse from Salem, Oregon is giving back to others by volunteering to help victims of war in Gaza. Yvonne Groenhout is an emergency response nurse. She said she was asked to volunteer with the International Medical Corps to help those without any access to medical care.
"They were responding to the war in Gaza and the mission was to set up an outpatient clinic and a field hospital in Rafah," said Groenhout.
Groenhout said she first started volunteering in disaster zones as a way to honor her daughter.
"When our daughter died — I think most people in that situation think, after you think about it, you realize we're not guaranteed tomorrow."
Groenhout went to Gaza in December and January to help set up a field hospital and outpatient clinic. While she was there, she provided care for those with wounds from blasts to gunshots. She said many of the wounds were infected due to the lack of medical care.
"The need was so great. People were lining up as soon as they saw us with the tents, and we had patients," she said. "The first day we thought 'people don't know we're here yet' and maybe we'll get 50 patients. In the first day, I think we saw 200."
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She also said the patients were very appreciative of them being there to provide medical care.
"Everybody is grateful. Telling us, 'Thank you, thank you so much for coming. We understand that this is dangerous for you'. But I always think it's dangerous for you. You live here," she said.
Groenhout said what made it all worth it was giving back and caring for those most in need.
"It's been full circle almost, and it's hard for me," said said. "It's hard to say, waiting for the next disaster. But I'll be there. No matter what."
By the end of February, the group had done about 500 surgeries.
The International Medical Corps also trains people in their own communities to help and be more self-reliant. To learn more, you can check them out here.