Widespread Health Disaster In Gaza Imminent, According To The UN
In a statement released Sunday, the UN warned of an imminent health disaster in Gaza. The health disaster warning was issued in a joint statement signed by UNRWA and the World Health Organization. “A health disaster of widespread proportions is rapidly unfolding in the Gaza Strip as a direct result of the ongoing conflict,” the statement explained. During the Israeli operation in Gaza, many medical facilities sustained significant damage, The Times of Israel reported.
A health disaster of widespread proportions is rapidly unfolding in the #Gaza Strip as a direct result of the ongoing conflict, the UN says.
— UNICEFpalestine (@UNICEFpalestine) August 3, 2014
The UN warned that officials expected to see a shortage of medication in Gaza. Gaza already is experiencing significant overcrowding in hospitals. According to the statement, one-third of Gaza’s hospitals have been damaged by Israeli attacks. Damage is also reported in 14 health centers and to 29 ambulances since Israel began Operation Protective Edge. Nearly half of all medical personnel can not make it to Gaza clinics and hospitals due to widespread damage and ongoing violence.
After more than three weeks of intense conflict, #Gaza‘s medical services and facilities are on the verge of collapse. — UNICEFpalestine (@UNICEFpalestine) August 3, 2014
The UN also warned that the imminent health disaster has been worsened by the explosion at a power plant in Gaza. Hospitals are reporting deaths after much of Gaza lost power. “Critical supplies of medicines and disposables are almost depleted and damage and destruction of power supplies has left hospitals dependent on unreliable back-up generators,” the statement warned.
Worries of potential infectious outbreaks also concern health officials in Gaza and the UN. With almost half a million people displaced in Gaza, UNRWA shelters have civilians enclosed in close-quarters.
Palestinians from Khuza’a leaving again their destroyed village after having salvage what they could #gaza pic.twitter.com/If6m0RrzCc
— anne paq (@annepaq) August 3, 2014
James Rawley, the Humanitarian Coordinator in the area said, “We are now looking at a health and humanitarian disaster,” adding, “the fighting must stop immediately.” Rawley stressed:
“International law sets out clear obligations on the parties to the conflict to respect the status of hospitals and medical facilities as protected objects, to respect the status of and ensure the protection of medical personnel, to ensure the protection of civilians and to respect the fundamental human right to health.”
International Middle East Media Center reported:
“In addition, in the last 24 hours, anonymous calls were made to staff at both the Najjar Hospital in Rafah and Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City warning of imminent attacks, causing major panic and chaos among patients and staff. Najjar Hospital was evacuated and remains closed due to fighting nearby.”
The UN statement warning of the imminent health disaster comes on the same day CNN reports that an airstrike hit the vicinity of a UN school in Gaza, killing ten people.
[Photo credit: Eva Bartlett]
