The amount of aid reaching Gaza has decreased by 50% since January according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
On the social media site X, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated that the aid intended to help the two million people living in dire circumstances in Gaza should have grown rather than dwindled.
Some of the barriers to providing aid were identified, namely political reluctance, the periodic shutdown of the two entry points into the enclave, and insecurity caused by military actions and breakdown of civil control.
He stated that it is long overdue for both a ceasefire and the lifting of the siege in order to provide essential aid and commercial supplies.
Security concerns and crossing closures
According to the latest situation report by UNRWA, an average of 98 assistance trucks have entered Gaza this month. This update was released on Monday.
The organization pointed out that there are notable challenges in getting supplies through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah border crossings due to security restrictions and occasional shutdowns.
“At certain intervals, UNRWA has faced the need to pause delivery of resources due to security issues. The ability to maintain security at the crossing has been significantly affected following the deaths of multiple Palestinian law enforcement officers in Israeli airstrikes near the crossings.”
There have been ongoing influxes of people and ongoing airstrikes in the city of Rafah.
Rafah has been experiencing a continuous inflow of individuals and ongoing aerial attacks.
The organization noted that there is ongoing ground activity and intense battles occurring throughout the Gaza Strip, with a concentration in the northern Gaza, Deir al Balah, and Khan Younis areas.
As clashes intensify in and around Khan Younis, individuals are fleeing and seeking refuge in the already overcrowded city of Rafah. Currently, around 1.5 million Palestinians have taken shelter in Rafah, causing global alarm as there is a possibility of a full-scale Israeli attack.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) stated that the recent surge in airstrikes in Rafah, even in residential areas without warning, has sparked concerns that it will make it even more difficult for humanitarian efforts to meet the increasing demand.
Recently, individuals have been relocating from Rafah to Deir Al Balah and Nuseirat refugee camps in the central region of Gaza. However, there have been accounts of ongoing conflict and aerial attacks taking place in those areas.
Humanitarian update
Approximately 1.7 million individuals, comprising more than 75% of the population in Gaza, have been forced to leave their homes due to the ongoing conflict sparked by Hamas-led terrorist actions in Israel on October 7th.
The UN is continuously expressing concerns about the worsening food shortage situation in Gaza. The humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reports that over two million individuals are experiencing either a crisis or extremely high levels of food insecurity.
Furthermore, out of the three water pipelines in Israel, only one is currently in operation, operating at a reduced capacity of less than 50%. Additionally, 83% of groundwater wells are not functional, there are no functioning wastewater treatment systems, and access to clean water is unavailable in the northern governorates.
Newborns dying: UNFPA
OCHA, in collaboration with the UN’s World Health Organization, has assisted the Palestine Red Crescent Society in the evacuation of 72 urgent cases from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
The hospital continues to face challenges in functioning due to lack of electricity and running water, shortages of food and water supplies, solid waste buildup, and sewage overflow.
The UNFPA released a report on Monday stating that infants in Gaza are losing their lives due to their mothers being unable to receive proper prenatal and postnatal care. Ongoing bombings and intense stress are also causing premature births in the region.
The organization reported that the Al Helal Al Emirati maternity hospital in Rafah, which is one of the only operational hospitals in the area, only has five beds available for deliveries. Despite not having enough essential items like sheets, the hospital managed to handle 78 deliveries in just one night.
Unimpeded access crucial
Ensuring the well-being and security of those providing aid and medical assistance remains a pressing issue, despite the prevalence of hostility and assaults.
“Despite significant obstacles such as continued airstrikes and intense combat, we and our collaborators are making every effort to provide food aid throughout the Gaza Strip,” stated OCHA.
The previous week, they provided sustenance to 1.7 million individuals.
The organization stated that in order to increase productivity, it is necessary to have secure and unrestricted paths in Gaza. Additionally, they require an increased number of trucks and fuel within Gaza to guarantee a steady and reliable food supply.
Prime Minister resigns
The Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Monday that Guterres has acknowledged the departure of the Palestinian Prime Minister and his Government.
According to reports from the media, Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh presented a written resignation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier on the same day.
According to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the United Nations is prepared to offer ongoing assistance in addressing the humanitarian, political, financial, and security issues that the Palestinian people are currently facing. This statement was made during his regular press briefing in New York, which was attended by journalists.
He stated that a Palestinian Government with greater strength and authority is crucial in the pursuit of a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable state within the 1967 borders. This includes Gaza as an integral part and remains the only viable solution for lasting peace.
Source: United Nations News Agency
