DaysofPal- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned of record levels of disease in the Gaza Strip, citing harsh winter conditions and repeated deprivation of vaccines for children, amid the near-total collapse of the health system due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and restrictions on essential aid, including medical supplies.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement Monday that “after more than two years of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, children have repeatedly been denied essential vaccinations to protect them from preventable diseases.”
He added, “Severe winter weather is gripping Gaza, with intense cold, heavy rains, and flooding, which exacerbates the risk of disease spread in a sector already at record levels.”
Lazzarini highlighted that poor water and sanitation conditions in overcrowded shelters, combined with the collapse of the health system, are key factors contributing to the proliferation of diseases in the territory.
He noted that UNRWA teams, in cooperation with UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and local partners, began the second round of catch-up vaccination campaigns on Sunday for children under three who missed essential vaccines over the past two years of Israeli destructive military operations.
“UNRWA continues to work to save lives in Gaza,” Lazzarini said, emphasizing the agency’s ongoing humanitarian efforts despite severe operational challenges.
The warning comes as Gaza faces a combination of public health crises, infrastructure damage, and restricted access for aid, raising concerns about further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the densely populated territory.
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