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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) — Palestinians continue to live in dire conditions after heavy rains flooded large swathes of the Gaza Strip four days ago, U.N. humanitarian agencies said Wednesday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the situation remains unchanged despite efforts by the global organization and its partners to provide assistance to those in need.
According to OCHA's latest estimates, more than 18,600 households have been affected, with thousands of people displaced or newly displaced.
"This number continues to grow as partners conduct additional assessments to determine the extent of the damage caused by the storm," the department said.
Winter is approaching and the volume of supplies arriving in Gaza is insufficient to meet the vast needs of the population, OCHA warned, citing information from its partners providing shelter to those affected.
Since September, the world body, its partners and UN member states have delivered 60,000 tents, 346,000 tarpaulins and 309,000 bedding sets to Gaza.
OCHA reported that as part of its winterization efforts, its child protection partners have distributed 48,000 winter clothing kits for children across the Strip since the ceasefire came into force on 10 October.
The agency reported that its nutrition partners have seen a gradual decline in the number of patients admitted for treatment for malnutrition over the past two months, with about 9,280 cases reported last month and 11,740 in September. However, October's figures remain nearly four times higher than January's.
OCHA's water and sanitation partners reported that they have distributed diapers, towels and other essential items to meet the hygiene needs of 400,000 people over the past two days.
“However, they warn that sanitary and hygiene conditions in Gaza are dire, as the Strip lacks wastewater treatment facilities due to the widespread destruction of infrastructure after two years of war,” OCHA emphasized.
“The deteriorated state of sanitation systems in Gaza poses a threat to public health, including by increasing the risk of bacterial infections spreading through contact with contaminated waste or water,” OCHA said.
The Office continues to call for the entry of currently restricted goods into the Gaza Strip, including equipment for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure.
OCHA also reiterates the need to allow non-governmental organizations to deliver aid into the Gaza Strip and to open additional crossing points and routes to enable the UN and its partners to reach people in need more quickly and effectively. –0–
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