Surge in aid following ceasefire between Hamas, Israel
(MENAFN) Despite a surge in aid following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel on January 19, UN agencies have stressed that Gaza’s humanitarian needs remain overwhelming. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Saturday that they have made progress in delivering supplies, but the situation is dire, particularly in the health sector, where widespread destruction has severely impacted services.
The WHO revealed its efforts to increase hospital capacity, noting that before the conflict, Gaza’s hospitals could accommodate 3,500 to 4,000 beds. This has now decreased to between 1,500 and 1,900, with hopes to raise it to 2,000 or 2,500 beds soon. Mental health needs are also critical, with an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 individuals, including 2,500 children, requiring medical evacuation for urgent care. The WHO has called for the establishment of a medical corridor to facilitate these evacuations.
Meanwhile, the WFP reported significant progress in aid deliveries, with approximately 600 trucks entering Gaza daily since the ceasefire began, including 50 carrying fuel. Between January 19 and 28, over 10,300 metric tons of food were delivered, a substantial increase compared to previous months. The WFP also stated that there are enough supplies in storage at the border to sustain more than one million people for the next three months, though food prices remain high despite efforts to rehabilitate bakeries. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed it would continue to support relief efforts in Gaza despite the ongoing restrictions imposed by Israeli forces.
MENAFN02022025000045015687ID1109157977
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.