WHO Report: “Conflict escalation in Gaza, complex emergency” (Issue 3) – WHO situation report

Health situation

The MOH reported as of 20 July (16:00), a total of 425 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza (112 children, 41 women and 25 elderly over 60 years) and a total of 3008 Palestinians have been injured (904 children, 533 women and 119 elderly over 60 years). The ongoing ground incursion, begun July 18, has greatly accelerated the casualty rate over the past two days, as well as the numbers of displaced families. 49% of total deaths and 61% of injuries have occurred in the Gaza and northern districts, overwhelming hospitals which are coping with high numbers of trauma cases with inadequate supplies.

So far during 12 days of escalated violence in Gaza (July 7-19), 2 medical staff, 3 paramedics and 15 emergency medical services staff and volunteers were injured in attacks. A pharmacist was killed in his home.

17 health-related facilities have been damaged by that hit the structure directly or in the area of the facilities (2 MoH hospitals, 1 NGO hospital; 4 MoH clinics, 5 UNRWA clinics, 3 NGO clinics; 2 NGO nursing care centers; 1 NGO emergency medical services center). Four Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances have been damaged.

There are critical concerns with hospital supplies, as both medicines and medical disposables are in serious shortages, both in MoH and NGO hospitals due to the large number of casualties and serious shortages even before the escalation of violence. Currently the

increasingly large number of casualties has made the situation precarious. 23 patients were in intensive care units in MoH hospitals as of July 18. 41 of 54 MoH primary health clinics are functioning; 13 were closed as a preventative measure in areas of previous attacks.

UNRWA reported that on July 20 that the number of displaced Palestinians seeking shelter in 40 UNRWA schools and other refuge centers had exceeded 63,000, more than in the 2008-9 conflict, while relief supplies are sufficient for only 35,000. UNRWA is providing one meal daily to those in shelters and basic non-food supplies. UNRWA appeals for US$60 million in order to extend basic services, including health and psycho-social services, to newly displaced families. 830,000 refugees now rely on UNRWA food distribution in Gaza, which will begin distribution 10 days early in view of the crisis.

As of 20 July, 12 of UNRWA's 21 health centers closed, most in the Middle Area, although previous to the incursion 19 of 21 had been functioning with most staff reporting daily for work (79% on 17 July). Clinic utilization was 14,000 patients on Thursday, July 17, when a "humanitarian pause" in the conflict went into effect for several hours, still below normal levels but almost double the previous daily average of patients.

In Gaza WHO is monitoring needs in hospitals, and drug and supplies stocks on a daily basis and is coordinating with health partners and donors for urgent resupply. WHO staff are coordinating information with the Ministry of Health in Ramallah in the emergency operations room for review of drug and equipment lists for donations and a daily situation report from the MoH. WHO provides daily health updates to the Health Sector and to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Activities for their comprehensive reporting.

Donors and funding

So far WHO has received over US$ 5 million in response to its appeal for support to the health sector, primarily for critical medicines and supplies, and is assisting in the facilitation of entry of medical shipments into Gaza. Medical aid has been received via Rafah border from the Arab Physicians Syndicate and the Arab Medical Union in Egypt. At least three Arab countries have donated medical aid which is being routed through Egypt to be sent to Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

For more information, contact:

WHO West Bank and Gaza Country Office

Contact: Dr. Mahmoud Daher, +972-598944650

Website: http://www.emro.who.int/palestine