The World Health Organization warned today, Friday, of the worsening health and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip as winter approaches, noting that around 950,000 displaced people live in flood-prone areas, including 400,000 in highly dangerous locations.
The organization's representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, Reinhilde Van der Werf, stated during her online participation in the weekly press conference of the United Nations office in Geneva: "The health system in Gaza is operating beyond its capacity, amid a severe shortage of fuel and medical supplies, and continuous attacks on health facilities."
She added that "the rains witnessed in the region over the past few days are an indication of the level of risks in the coming months, warning that the mixing of sewage and waste with contaminated water within the camps increases the risk of disease outbreaks."
She revealed that "cases of acute respiratory infections have risen by about 33,000 compared to the same period last year, constituting 11 percent of total medical consultations, while around 9 health facilities have sustained various damages, and the rains have hindered workers and patients from accessing health facilities."
The organization demanded "permission to enter tents, plastic coverings, supplies for providing clean water and waste management, as well as laboratory equipment, medical devices, spare parts, generators, and fuel," emphasizing that "rapid identification of pathogens requires equipment that is currently unavailable in the region."
Van der Werf confirmed that "the fourth winter in Gaza will pose a new test for a health system that has reached its maximum capacity, stressing the urgent need to take action to address the increasing risks."