Shortages in Gaza “are going to kill many, many people,” warns Avril Benoît, the US head of Doctors Without Borders. Benoît, executive director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), expressed grave concerns about the dire situation in Gaza during an interview with CNN reporter Alex Hardie.
Benoît highlighted the utility shortages in Gaza, stating that they would have devastating consequences. According to her, MSF often loses contact with its team at the Al-Shifa Hospital due to the lack of electricity, making it difficult to gather real-time information.
The situation is exacerbated by the scarcity of fuel, which Benoît described as “reaching catastrophic lows.” This shortage has resulted in the hospital facing challenges in providing medical care. There is also a severe lack of painkillers, which Benoît claims has been an ongoing issue.
The scarcity of anesthesia is another major concern. Surgical teams are being forced to ration resources and make difficult decisions about who receives life-saving surgery. The exhaustion experienced by the medical teams, who have been working tirelessly, further complicates the situation. Benoît emphasized that the entire population in Gaza is suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, and hunger.
Benoît emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, describing the situation as “absolutely life or death.” She stressed that time is of the essence, and it is essential for humanitarian aid to be brought into Gaza. The fate of everyone in Gaza hangs in the balance, as nowhere in the region is considered safe.
The shortage crisis in Gaza is an urgent matter that requires immediate attention from the international community. Assistance to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza is of utmost importance at this critical time.