United Nations, Oct 26: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached an unprecedented point.
The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA, which is by far the largest humanitarian provider in Gaza, warned on Wednesday that the agency will be forced to halt all operations by Wednesday night unless fuel is allowed into Gaza immediately, Xinhua news agency reported.
Hospitals are shutting down as they lack fuel, water, medical supplies and personnel. Fuel is being severely rationed for a select number of critical facilities. The backup generators are not designed for continuous operation and could break, said OCHA.
UN personnel visited hospitals on Tuesday. In one hospital, they noted hundreds of wounded men, women and children.
Many of them were unconscious, with open wounds – lying on beds, stretchers and on the floor – with limited medical attendance. In the yard, there was a tent with tens of dead bodies, including children. Many of the dead are kept there because the morgues are full, it said.
Food stocks are running out. The World Food Programme estimates that current supplies of essential food in Gaza are sufficient for about 12 days. (IANS)
