WHO: Aid Arriving Gaza But Too Little, Too Late
Date
1/10/2024 2:24:25 AM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) QNA
Geneva: The World health Organization (WHO) called Wednesday for improving access to the Gaza Strip to help besieged civilians, noting that the amount of relief arriving Gaza is "too little...too late," particularly in the north.
WHO Emergency Medical Teams Coordinator Sean Casey affirmed that there is an desperate need for humanitarian assistance, particularly food, across Gaza, particularly in northern areas.
In turn, WHO representative for occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) Dr. Rik Peeperkorn expressed his concerns about the intensification of hostilities in the south, explaining that moving staff and supplies "safely and swiftly" had been compromised, "as deconfliction is required for any moves across Gaza, including the south - often leading to delays."
In addition to getting more essential supplies into Gaza, what was also needed urgently was easier movement of humanitarian aid and workers within the enclave, "so that we can reach people wherever they are", Dr Peeperkorn explained.
According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, 23,084 people have been killed in the enclave, 70% were women and children. Nearly 59,000 people have also been injured, which is approximately 2.7% of Gaza's population.
The UN website said that one indication of the "shrinking space" for lifesaving humanitarian work in the enclave is the fact that the UN health agency has not reached northern Gaza for two weeks.
Since Dec. 26, a total of six planned WHO humanitarian missions have had to be canceled, it added.
"Our team is ready to deliver but we have not been able to receive the necessary permissions to proceed safely," Dr. Peeperkorn explained.
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