UN Warnings: Deadly mix of disease, hunger, and lack of hygiene threatens gaza residents
A deadly mix of disease, hunger, and lack of hygiene and sanitation is facing people in Gaza, warned the director of the United Nations health agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Ghebreyesus stated on the (X) platform: “Hunger weakens the body’s defenses and opens the door to disease,” adding that “Gaza is already experiencing high rates of infectious diseases. Cases of diarrhea among children under the age of five have multiplied by 25 times compared to pre-conflict levels, and such diseases can be fatal for malnourished children, especially in the absence of functioning health services. We need an immediate ceasefire.”
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that intense fighting hinders efforts to assist people in Gaza and called for the “recreation of conditions that allow for immediate widespread humanitarian operations,” as reported by CNN.
On Wednesday, the World Food Programme stated that half of Gaza’s population is starving, and residents often go entire days without food.
UNICEF confirmed on Wednesday that newly displaced children in the southern Gaza Strip receive much less water than required to stay alive and anticipated a larger number of children’s deaths in the sector “in the coming days” due to deprivation and illness. The organization said in a statement on its website: “Newly displaced children in the southern Gaza Strip receive only (1.5 to 2) liters of water per day, much less than the recommended requirements for survival.”
It further explained: “According to humanitarian relief standards, the minimum amount of water needed in emergency situations is (15) liters, including drinking, washing, and cooking. The estimated minimum for survival alone is (3) liters per day.”
