Crisis in Gaza: Urgent Calls for Humanitarian Aid Amidst Water Scarcity and Health Emergencies, UN Geneva Press Briefing (UNICEF and WHO on Situation in Gaza) – 30 July 2024

30 July 2024

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(Excerpt)

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Situation in Gaza

Answering questions from the media, James Elder, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), stated that the blowing up of a large water facility in Rafah was yet another reminder of a blatant disregard for children’s rights. Without it, vulnerable children and their families would be forced once again to resort to consuming unsafe water. The range of water availability in Gaza had been reduced, and it was now of two to nine liters per person while the humanitarian minimum standard was 15 liters. Mr. Elder reminded of sweltering heat in Gaza right now. Civilian infrastructure had to be protected, he reiterated. 

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that environmental samples of polio had been tested, and the Health Ministry in Ramallah would like to test them again to confirm the outcome. If the cases were confirmed, the situation would be very worrisome. The virus was likely present in the population, but that did not mean that there would necessarily be a broader outbreak, he explained. Not many people showed symptoms; only heavy forms of polio could be mortal. Aid – food, medical assistance, and vaccines – needed to reach people, for which a ceasefire was necessary so that humanitarian agencies could deliver it safely. A proper polio vaccination campaign could only be conducted under safe circumstances. Before the war, Gaza had had very high vaccination rates. Mr. Lindmeier said that the world had been very close to eradicating polio completely, and it was hoped that Gaza would not turn into a pocket of polio. No cases of polio paralysis had been reported so far, added Mr. Elder, for UNICEF. There were tremendous challenges getting food in, including therapeutic food, said Mr. Elder. Children were very malnourished, there was a lack of clean water and sanitation, and Gaza was experiencing extreme heat, which all together created a very dire situation. 

On another question, Mr. Lindmeier said that four children and their families had been medically evacuated from Egypt to Belgium; more children were now being evacuated towards the United Arab Emirates. Some ten thousand more medical cases needed to be evacuated. 

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