ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
Approximately 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are sheltering in only 155 UNRWA installations in the Gaza Strip, the organisation said in its latest situation report, raising concerns of severe overcrowding amid an already deteriorating situation in the sector.
In addition, another 400,000 IDPs are sheltering in the immediate vicinity of those installations, all depending on UNRWA for assistance. The total number of IDPs receiving UNRWA aid has reached approximately 1.73 million.
UNRWA facilities are facing extreme overcrowding, with the number of IDPs in certain shelters in the Rafah area reaching alarming proportions. Each of the facilities in the middle and southern areas houses over 12,000 individuals on average, exceeding their intended capacity by four times.
The overcrowding results in at least 486 people sharing each toilet, the organisation reported, straining the sanitation infrastructure and posing serious health risks amid the ongoing crisis.
On the healthcare front, only six out of 22 UNRWA health centres were operational in the middle and southern Gaza Strip areas as of January 7. Despite the limited operational capacity, and over 132 damaged installations, the centres managed to attend to 10,158 patient visits in a single day.
Mental health has emerged as a crucial concern, with UNRWA providing psychosocial support to tens of thousands of IDPs. School counsellors and social workers have conducted thousands of consultations and group sessions to address the growing need for psychological support among the displaced population.
Despite the challenges, UNRWA continues to provide critical assistance in food security and water and sanitation services. Flour distribution has reached nearly 238,000 families outside of shelters in the southern governorates. Additionally, water wells in strategic locations have been operational, ensuring a supply of potable water to affected areas.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has called for intensified diplomatic efforts to secure an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
In a press release published on Thursday, Lazzarini stated: “The situation in Gaza continues to be catastrophic for the civilian population. We must spare no effort to prevent further deterioration and to reverse the looming famine, the massive public health crisis, and a total breakdown of civil order.”
The statement came on the sidelines of Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel’s first visit to the occupied Palestinian territory.
Commenting on his visit, in a statement published on X, he said: “In Palestine, I visited the Amari refugee camp where I was briefed by Philippe Lazzarini on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
In a separate statement on the platform, he stressed the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire and expressed Luxembourg’s support for the two-state solution, as well as condemnation of the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements.
Echoing these calls, almost 400 members of parliament from 28 countries have launched an appeal for an immediate ceasefire in the war on Gaza, urging their governments to “uphold international law and seek accountability for grave violations of human rights”.
The group includes US Democrat Ilhan Omar and former British Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn.