NEW YORK: The World Health Organization (WHO) pleaded on Wednesday for improved access to Gaza, stating that relief efforts are arriving “too little, too late” to assist civilians enduring the persistent Israeli bombardments.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, emphasized the need for humanitarian corridors to operate more effectively, even in the absence of a ceasefire.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the movement of humanitarian aid, especially food, is urgently required in Gaza, particularly in the northern regions, according to WHO Emergency Medical Teams Coordinator Sean Casey. He highlighted the dire food situation in the north, where almost no food is available, and the desperate pleas from residents for assistance.
Dr. Peeperkorn expressed concerns about the intensifying hostilities in the south, explaining that the safe and swift movement of staff and supplies has been compromised due to required deconfliction, causing delays. He stressed the need for easier movement of humanitarian aid and workers within Gaza to reach people in various locations.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that 23,084 people, 70% of whom were women and children, have been killed, and nearly 59,000 people have been injured.
Dr. Peeperkorn underscored the readiness of the UN and its partners to deliver assistance to the affectees of the Israeli ground and air offensive but highlighted the complexities faced in accessing hospitals and facilities due to hostilities and evacuation orders by the occupied forces.
WHO Unable to Reach Northern Gaza for Two Weeks
Three hospitals near evacuation zones – European Gaza Hospital, Nasser Medical Complex, and Al-Aqsa – are of particular concern, as limited supplies, restricted access, and evacuation challenges pose a threat to their functionality, according to Dr. Peeperkorn. He urged the international community to prevent the deterioration of healthcare facilities in Gaza.
The shrinking space for humanitarian work is evident, with the UN health agency unable to reach northern Gaza for two weeks and six planned WHO humanitarian missions canceled since December 26 due to safety concerns and lack of necessary permissions.
WHO officials called for immediate action to ensure the safe delivery of aid and protect healthcare infrastructure, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
