2023-10-22 05:52:43
Five agencies of the HIM have said in a joint statement that The aid that entered Gaza this Saturday “is only a small beginning and is far from being enough,” So they have called for a ceasefire and safe access for civilians to save lives and prevent further suffering. “Gaza was already in a desperate humanitarian situation before the recent hostilities. Now it is catastrophic. “The world has to do more.”
The statement has been issued by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
A first humanitarian aid convoy entered Gaza this Saturday through the Rafah crossing, the first since hostilities began two weeks ago, which was made up of 20 trucks with products from the UN and the Egyptian Crescentwhich included cans of tuna and tomato, pasta, drinking water and medical products.
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This “first, but limited delivery” will supply “an urgent need for the more than hundreds of thousands of civilians, mainly women and children, who have had their water cut offfood, medicine, fuel and other essentials,” UN agencies have said, “but it is only a small beginning and is far from enough.”
The statement has highlighted the “immense need” since the beginning of the crisis between Israel and Gazawhich began on October 7 after Hamas militants launched deadly attacks on Israel, which responded with airstrikes, a complete siege of Gaza and ordering civilians to evacuate the northern part of the enclave.
More of 1.6 million people are in critical need of humanitarian aid in Gaza, where almost half of the population are children, apart from a large number of pregnant women and elderly people.
Besides, the constant bombings for two weeks have left much of civil infrastructure damaged or destroyedincluding shelters, medical centers and water, sanitation and electricity systems.
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The agencies have advised that “Time is running out before mortality skyrockets.” due to the spread of diseases and lack of health capacity.
Gaza hospitals are “overwhelmed with wounded” and People are facing challenges accessing essential food supplies. Medical centers have already run out of fuel, while water production is at five percent of normal level.
“Previously positioned humanitarian supplies have already been exhausted. Vulnerable people are most at risk and children are dying at an alarming rate and are denied their right to protection, food, water and health care,” they have denounced.
Before the conflict, about a third of Palestine’s population was food insecure, Currently the stores are working with low stocks, bakeries closing, while hundreds of thousands are being displaced without being able to cook or buy food.
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UN agencies They have also asked for a ceasefire, along with immediate and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. throughout Gaza to allow workers to reach civilians in need, save lives and prevent further suffering. “Humanitarian aid flows must be scaled and sustained, allowing all Gazans to preserve their dignity.”
They have appealed for sustained and safe access to water, food, health – including sexual and reproductive health – as well as fuel, and for protection of civilians and their infrastructure, including health centers.
“We call for the protection of humanitarian workers in Gaza who “They are risking their lives in the service of others.”he requested and added that “we call for maximum respect for international humanitarian law by all parties,” they concluded.
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