Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
In the first two weeks of January, a humanitarian crisis deepened in Gaza, as only 24% of critical supplies of food, medicine, water, and fuel were able to reach those in need, OCHA warned in its latest flash update.
Of 29 planned missions to deliver these lifesaving supplies north of Wadi Gaza, only 7 were successful. The majority of these denials involved the crucial delivery of fuel and medicines.
In fact, around 95% of missions aimed at allocating fuel and medicines to water reservoirs, water wells, and health facilities in the area were denied access by Israeli authorities. This lack of fuel not only heightened health and environmental hazards but also debilitated the functionality of six partially functioning hospitals.
As of January 15, only one of the three water pipelines from Israel, the Middle Area pipeline, was functioning, urgently needing repairs. Water, hygiene, and sanitation partners estimated that repairs could take up to four weeks, provided they had sustained access and necessary supplies, the update added.
Call for new entry routes
In response to the dire situation, the heads of the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and WHO issued a joint statement calling for the opening of new entry routes and lifting the barriers and restrictions.
They urged more commodity-border checks each day, eased restrictions on the movement of humanitarian workers, and guaranteed safety for those accessing and distributing aid.
"People in Gaza risk dying of hunger just miles from trucks filled with food," said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, as mentioned in the joint statement.
"Every hour lost puts countless lives at risk. We can keep famine at bay but only if we can deliver sufficient supplies and have safe access to everyone in need, wherever they are."
'Allow commercial supplies'
Phillipe Lazzarini, Commissioner General for the UN Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA), said: "Humanitarian aid will not be enough to reverse the worsening hunger among the population. Commercial supplies are a must to allow the markets and private sector to re-open and provide an alternative to food accessibility."
Further international attention was drawn to the situation by Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi.
In a press conference with his Australian counterpart, Safadi pointed out that Israel has been significantly impeding the entry of aid into Gaza, exacerbating the crisis experienced by Palestinians.
He added that these obstacles meant that only 10% of the total needs of the Gazan population were being met.
