150,000 Tents Stuck as Gaza Floods; Germany Demands Aid Access
(MENAFN) Germany’s development minister called on Israel’s government Tuesday to immediately open the way for critical humanitarian shipments into the Gaza Strip, warning that torrential rain is pushing an already desperate situation to new extremes.
In a written statement, Reem Alabali Radovan said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza has long been unbearable,” Then she cautioned: “Strong rainfall and cold weather are further dramatically intensifying the already catastrophic living conditions,” She noted that floodwater has swamped many tents.
Food supplies are in even graver jeopardy, the minister said. Stocks are critically low, and moisture and inadequate storage are leaving what remains rotting and moldy. She added that the rains are also flushing untreated wastewater into the streets, raising the danger of disease outbreaks.
Radovan pressed her case in blunt terms. “The people of Gaza are in urgent need of comprehensive aid,” she said. “The Israeli government must immediately allow the necessary supplies to enter Gaza,” she stressed.
She also itemized what is most needed. “Food, shelter, materials for repairs, medicine, and fuel for heating are desperately needed—and they save lives,” she added.
UN officials said the downpours, which began late last week, have flooded large areas of the territory and damaged thousands of shelters. Stockpiles of tents, tarpaulins and blankets inside the enclave have run out, they said.
Meanwhile, more than 150,000 tents are waiting outside Gaza for permission to enter. The UN stressed that Israeli approvals are urgently required to get relief and shelter supplies, drainage equipment and heavy machinery to the people affected.
In a written statement, Reem Alabali Radovan said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza has long been unbearable,” Then she cautioned: “Strong rainfall and cold weather are further dramatically intensifying the already catastrophic living conditions,” She noted that floodwater has swamped many tents.
Food supplies are in even graver jeopardy, the minister said. Stocks are critically low, and moisture and inadequate storage are leaving what remains rotting and moldy. She added that the rains are also flushing untreated wastewater into the streets, raising the danger of disease outbreaks.
Radovan pressed her case in blunt terms. “The people of Gaza are in urgent need of comprehensive aid,” she said. “The Israeli government must immediately allow the necessary supplies to enter Gaza,” she stressed.
She also itemized what is most needed. “Food, shelter, materials for repairs, medicine, and fuel for heating are desperately needed—and they save lives,” she added.
UN officials said the downpours, which began late last week, have flooded large areas of the territory and damaged thousands of shelters. Stockpiles of tents, tarpaulins and blankets inside the enclave have run out, they said.
Meanwhile, more than 150,000 tents are waiting outside Gaza for permission to enter. The UN stressed that Israeli approvals are urgently required to get relief and shelter supplies, drainage equipment and heavy machinery to the people affected.
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