DaysofPal- Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has expressed profound concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking on the dire conditions, Lazzarini stated, “We are running out of words to describe the situation in Gaza.”
The situation on the ground is grim, with UNRWA colleagues painting a picture of a “post-apocalyptic environment” where people are forced to live amidst garbage, sewage water, and rubble. Civilians in Gaza are struggling daily with the harsh realities of death, hunger, and disease.
Echoing Lazzarini’s concerns, the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, described the situation as “utterly devastating.” Kaag acknowledged the bleak picture she has painted, highlighting the ongoing suffering of civilians in the region.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also weighed in on the crisis, particularly focusing on the health sector. He described the conditions at Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip as “simply appalling,” underscoring the severe challenges faced by medical facilities and patients.
These statements collectively underscore the urgent need for international action and support to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and provide immediate relief to those affected. The international community is urged to take immediate steps to address the escalating humanitarian emergency and restore basic living conditions for the people of Gaza.
According to Ghebreyesus, a WHO team managed to reach the hospital two days ago despite hostilities and explosions in the vicinity. During this mission, the team delivered 5,000 liters of fuel, food, and medicines and transferred three patients and six companions to Al-Shifa Hospital.
However, Ghebreyesus noted that in the last week, four WHO missions to Kamal Adwan Hospital have been arbitrarily denied, including the re-deployment of the international emergency medical team that had self-evacuated from the hospital on 6 December due to hostilities. The ongoing hostilities around the hospital have further damaged the oxygen supply, generators, and broken windows and doors of the patients’ rooms, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has been relentless, with the Israeli military operations, supported by arms from the US and some European countries, claiming the lives of civilians, including women and children, for over 438 days. Despite international resolutions and condemnations, the violence continues unabated, leaving the civilian population in a state of acute distress and humanitarian crisis.
These statements collectively underscore the urgent need for international action and support to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and provide immediate relief to those affected. The international community is urged to take immediate steps to address the escalating humanitarian emergency and restore basic living conditions for the people of Gaza.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=59471
