By Blessing Chinagorom
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that heavy rains fell on Gaza yesterday Wednesday, flooding many in the areas and worsening the struggle of displaced Palestinians.
In a Press Briefing on Thursday, United Nations Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric who made the disclosure while giving update on the current situation in Gaza said the rains, coupled with the absence of effective waste management, are significantly elevating the risk of spreading disease.
He revealed that the ability of the United Nations to receive incoming aid is being significantly undermined by a shortage of trucks within Gaza, the continuing lack of fuel; telecommunications blackouts.
And the increasing number of staff unable to reach the Rafah crossing safely, due to the intensity of the ongoing hostilities, adding that more aid and fuel are needed to enter Gaza, but equally, more capacity is needed in Gaza to handle the incoming aid.
Dujarric stated that, an UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] school which sheltering internally displaced persons in Jabalia Refugee Camp was hit, with casualties reported.
“The same school had been hit several times previously. UNRWA is verifying recent reports of incidents at UNRWA facilities. Since 7 October, 156 incidents impacting UNRWA premises have been reported”, the UN Spokesperson added.
On Wednesday, Lynn Hastings, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, briefed the VTC [videoconference] in Geneva pointed to the need for a humanitarian ceasefire, given the conditions on the ground in Gaza.
She emphasized that Israel needs to provide for unimpeded humanitarian access and to ensure that the conditions inside Gaza allow for the provision of humanitarian aid.
It was reported that the total number of wounded Palestinians and other medical cases evacuated since October 7 represents only one per cent of the total Palestinians injured in hostilities.
The report emphasized that more than 400 people evacuated, while more than 20 times more injured, adding that some 8,000 of the estimated 50,000 people – urgently need medical intervention.