This text describes the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza,focusing on the struggles of vulnerable populations due to the ongoing conflict. here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Overall Situation:
The war is in it’s 21st month, and gaza’s most vulnerable people are struggling to survive.
There have been nearly two dozen strikes on displaced Gazans sheltering in tents between March 18 and April 11, according to the UN human rights office.
The UN agency insists on the importance of “the basics for survival.”
Specific Crises:
Dialysis Emergency:
Musbah Zaqqout, a 70-year-old patient, is one of 230 people receiving dialysis at Al-Shifa Hospital.
Treatment has been disrupted by supply shortages, reducing sessions from three to two per week. Mr. Zaqqout’s wife describes his suffering when dialysis was unavailable, including suffocation and coma.
The WHO, with partner KS Relief, delivered dialysis supplies and fuel to Al-Shifa, allowing treatment to resume. The WHO reiterates calls for sustained entry of food, fuel, and health aid, warning that healthcare services risk “coming to a grinding halt” due to critical shortages.
Child Malnutrition Tragedy:
UNRWA (the UN agency for Palestinians) reports increasing difficulty in providing aid.
One in 10 children brought to UNRWA clinics suffers from malnutrition, a condition unheard of before the war.
Malnutrition in children under five has more than doubled between March and June due to the Israeli siege.
UNRWA’s Louise Wateridge states its becoming harder to provide services, with over half of their installations located in areas affected by displacement orders.
Only six UNRWA health centers and 22 medical points remain operational, along with mobile units.
Nearly 60% of essential medical supplies are out of stock.
UNRWA states, “Children are dying before our eyes, as we do not have the medical supplies or sustained food to treat them.”
Key Medicines Run Out:
Due to the Israeli blockade that began on march 2, UNRWA has run out of essential medicines, including those for high blood pressure, antiparasitic and antifungal treatments, eye infections, and skin treatments, and also oral antibiotics for adults.
Water and sanitation Challenges:
Providing clean water is a major challenge. Only two UNRWA main water wells are functioning, down from ten before the war.
41 smaller wells are operational in UNRWA shelters.
In north Gaza, UNRWA has stopped providing water and sanitation services to around 25,000 displaced people in shelters for the past two months due to displacement orders.
the text ends abruptly, indicating that restrictions on fuel entry are also a significant problem.In essence,the text paints a grim picture of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,with critical shortages of medical supplies,fuel,and food leading to widespread suffering,especially among the most vulnerable,including children and those requiring ongoing medical treatment.
