Today's Edition
SHAABAN BILAL (GAZA, CAIRO)
Saleem Oweis, the regional spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has underscored the critical need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to address the escalating humanitarian crisis. He emphasised that the intensifying conflict, along with prevalent malnutrition and diseases, poses a severe threat to over 1.1 million children.
Citing a UNICEF report, Oweis revealed a worrying escalation in health issues among children in the Gaza Strip. He noted a drastic rise in diarrhoea cases in children under five – from 48,000 to 71,000 within just a week, indicating a rapid decline in children’s health in the area.
He highlighted that prior to the conflict’s escalation, approximately 2,000 diarrhoea cases were reported monthly in children under five. The recent surge, he pointed out, marks an alarming increase of about 2,000%, with diarrhoea cases in children rising by 50% in one week. Furthermore, 90% of children under two are suffering from acute malnutrition.
Oweis pointed out that children in the Gaza Strip are facing dire challenges due to disease proliferation, exacerbated by overcrowding in shelters and a lack of essential services.
He explained that tackling these diseases requires addressing their underlying causes, rooted in the dire conditions of the Gaza Strip, particularly in water, health, and sanitation services, compounded by the high density of displaced people in shelters.
He detailed UNICEF’s ongoing efforts to provide critical supplies to the region, including vaccines, medical and hygiene supplies, children’s food, fuel, water, and more.
Oweis emphasised that a ceasefire would allow organisations like UNICEF to address existing health conditions more effectively and help prevent the further spread of diseases.
Oweis stressed the importance of ensuring the safe delivery of aid and the protection of humanitarian workers.
He also called for the safeguarding of civilian infrastructure, such as shelters and health facilities, and services like electricity, water, and sanitation. This is vital to protect civilian lives, especially those of children, to prevent disease spread, and to provide necessary care for patients, Oweis added.
The spokesperson raised concerns about the deteriorating situation, pointing to the risk of acute malnutrition and deaths surpassing famine thresholds.
Oweis stressed that children suffering from poor health and nutrition are more vulnerable to serious illnesses like acute and prolonged diarrhoea. This can lead to a severe decline in health and significant malnutrition in children, increasing their susceptibility to concurrent infections and the risk of death.
“The conflict has severely impacted or destroyed essential water, sanitation, and health systems in the sector, hindering the treatment of malnutrition. Displaced children and their families struggle to maintain hygiene due to a critical lack of drinkable water and sanitation services,” Oweis added.
