DaysofPal – The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned of rapidly deteriorating health and environmental conditions in displacement centers across the Gaza Strip, stating that more than half of displaced families are living in areas contaminated by sewage.
In a statement released Friday, UNRWA said that 52% of displaced households are living near sewage water and stagnant pools surrounding shelters.
The agency warned that these conditions pose a serious public health threat and significantly increase the risk of disease outbreaks as essential services continue to collapse.
UNRWA added that 64% of families reported that their children are suffering from skin diseases, largely due to environmental pollution, poor sanitation, and severe shortages of medical supplies.
Limited access to clean water and the continued deterioration of sanitation infrastructure have further deepened the crisis.
The agency warned that Gaza’s humanitarian situation continues to worsen as mass displacement persists and critical infrastructure remains heavily damaged.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in overcrowded shelters and makeshift camps that lack basic necessities, including safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, proper waste disposal, and access to healthcare.
The widespread destruction of water and sewage networks, coupled with damage to healthcare facilities, has left communities increasingly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases.
Health workers have reported growing numbers of illnesses, particularly among children, who remain the most vulnerable to the worsening humanitarian conditions.
UNRWA stressed the urgent need for expanded humanitarian access, including the entry of fuel, medical supplies, and other essential aid to sustain basic services and prevent further public health risks.
Without immediate intervention, the agency warned, Gaza could face a broader public health emergency.
UN agencies have repeatedly warned of rising risks of disease outbreaks and malnutrition as restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance continue.
The combination of overcrowding, collapsing sanitation systems, and limited healthcare has created conditions that are becoming increasingly unmanageable.
Humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent international action to improve access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and humanitarian aid. They warn that Israel’s ongoing siege on Gaza continues to deepen the humanitarian crisis, particularly by exacerbating the collapse of sanitation and healthcare systems.
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