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Prevent a desperate situation from becoming catastrophic, UN Agencies plead
The UN agencies maintain that 67 per cent of all casualties are that of women and children and thousands more have been injured
Air strikes on Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip have caused widespread damage. / © UNICEF/Eyad El Baba
Several United Nations agencies are calling for an immediate pause in the Israeli offensives in the Gaza stressing that women, nursing mothers, children and new born are “disproportionately bearing the burden”, not just in terms of casualties but in reduced access to health care services.
The collective call has come from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency and the World Health Organisation.
Citing the Ministry of Health of Gaza data, the UN agencies maintain that 67 per cent of all casualties are that of women and children and thousands more have been injured. As of November 3 it is said that 2326 women and 3760 children have been killed, it is stated.
“There are an estimated 50 000 pregnant women in Gaza, with more than 180 giving birth every day. Fifteen per cent of them are likely to experience pregnancy or birth-related complications and need additional medical care”, the agencies have said in a statement.
The United Nations has also made the point that humanitarian agencies need sustained and safe access so as to bring in food, medicine, water and fuel inside Gaza. “An immediate humanitarian pause is needed to alleviate the suffering and prevent a desperate situation from becoming catastrophic”, the functional agencies of the United Nations have stressed.
“ All parties to the conflict must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure including health care. All civilians, including the hostages currently held in Gaza, have the right to health care. All hostages must be released without delay or conditions”, they added.
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