BY ALEX BALUKU
Baluku is a distinguished Fellow of the Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists, currently reporting from the United States of America. With a keen eye for global affairs and a commitment to delivering insightful coverage of UN activities, Baluku brings a unique perspective to the world of international journalism.
NEW YORK, NOV 28, 2023 – As a fragile ceasefire lingers in Gaza for a fifth consecutive day, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian agencies are sounding the alarm over the urgent need for increased aid deliveries to save lives and avert a potential deadly disease outbreak. Doctors in the war-torn enclave express deep concern, describing the current situation as perilous and terrifying.
Critical Need for Aid Delivery
The pause in fighting has provided a brief respite, but the aftermath of weeks of Israeli bombardment has left Gaza’s infrastructure in shambles. UN agencies highlight the immediate priority of delivering fuel to the north of Gaza to power hospitals, ensure a clean water supply, and maintain other vital civilian infrastructure. These services have been severely impacted, particularly after the intense conflict that followed Hamas’s actions on October 7, resulting in a significant loss of life and numerous hostages.
Humanitarian Warnings
Gazan health authorities report devastating casualties, with more than 15,000 people killed in attacks, the majority being women and children. The threat of a deadly disease outbreak looms large, prompting doctors to express their terror at the potential consequences. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder recounts the dire situation, citing a doctor from Al-Shifa hospital who emphasized the risks children face from both the air and ground, particularly in the form of diarrhoea and respiratory infections.
“He was terrified as a medical professional in terms of the disease outbreak that is lurking here and how that will devastate children whose immune systems and lack of food…is making them perilously weak,” Elder added.
Children at High Risk
Children in Gaza are particularly vulnerable, facing threats not only from the immediate impact of the conflict but also from the heightened risk of disease. The ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages add another layer of complexity to the situation. UNICEF expresses dismay at witnessing numerous children fighting for their lives, with severe war wounds, lying in makeshift spaces, and doctors forced to make agonizing decisions about prioritizing care.
Delays and Desperation
The challenges extend beyond immediate medical care. Delays in transportation, exemplified by a boy with a blown-off leg, paint a grim picture. Hindered by checkpoints, the boy spent days trying to reach the south, showcasing the urgency of streamlined aid delivery. The smell of decomposition was evident, underscoring the dire circumstances faced by those attempting to access essential services.
UN Agencies Respond
The World Health Organization (WHO) echoes concerns about the widespread health needs in Gaza, emphasizing the dire situation due to starvation, lack of clean water, and overcrowded conditions. WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris states that those who are sick or in need of medical attention face significant obstacles in receiving help.
The UN aid coordination office (OCHA) reports that relief supplies are being expedited south of Wadi Gaza, where a large portion of the estimated 1.7 million internally displaced persons seeks shelter. Key service providers, including hospitals, water, and sanitation facilities, continue to receive essential fuel to operate generators, ensuring basic services are maintained.
Catastrophic Hunger
While aid deliveries have begun, the World Food Programme (WFP) emphasizes the woefully inadequate supplies to address the hunger crisis. Despite delivering food to over 120,000 people during the initial pause in fighting, WFP’s Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe Region, Corinne Fleischer, warns of the risk of famine and starvation. She stresses the need for sustained, large-scale food distribution to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Samer Abdeljaber, WFP Palestine Representative and Country Director, emphasizes the urgency of continued humanitarian access, stating, “This pause offered a window of relief that we hope paves the way for longer-term calm. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access cannot stop now.”
As Gaza teeters on the brink of a humanitarian crisis, the international community faces the urgent task of providing comprehensive aid to address immediate medical needs, prevent disease outbreaks, and stave off the specter of famine. The delicate ceasefire provides a crucial opportunity to deliver essential assistance and chart a path towards lasting stability.
