Due to heavy rains in Gaza, the tents of many displaced people were flooded or destroyed. UN human rights chief: Israel’s decision to suspend NGOs in Gaza is ‘outrageous’ Humanitarian assistance
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called the Israeli authorities’ decision to suspend the activities of numerous humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip “outrageous.”
37 international humanitarian organizations could reportedly lose their licenses to operate in the Gaza Strip as of January 1. These include key UN partners, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, which plays a critical role in the operation of five feeding centers that help children with acute malnutrition.
Turk said this is the latest in a series of unlawful restrictions on the population’s access to humanitarian aid, including Israel’s ban on the UN Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). He also noted attacks on Israeli and Palestinian NGOs.
“I call on all states, especially those with [relevant] influence, to take urgent action and ensure that Israel immediately allows the unimpeded delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip,” Turk said. Gaza.
“I remind Israeli authorities that they have an obligation – under international law – to ensure the availability of basic necessities for daily life in Gaza, including by allowing and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid,” Turk said.
Six children have died due to torrential rains rains
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that a sixth child has died in the Gaza Strip this month due to harsh living conditions associated with heavy rains.
UNICEF said in a statement that the latest victim was seven-year-old Ata Mai. He drowned on December 27 during flooding at a makeshift camp for internally displaced people in Sudan, northwestern Gaza City.
The Children’s Fund says extreme winter conditions are exacerbated by a lack of safe shelters.
“Teams visiting camps for displaced people report about the appalling conditions that no child should have to endure, many tents were blown away or completely destroyed,” said UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbederon.
Ata lived in a camp of about 40 tents. All of his brothers and sisters are under 10 years old, and the family had already lost their mother during the war. UNICEF is currently providing the family with essential assistance, including blankets and tarpaulins.
The Gaza Strip has a severe housing crisis, with more than 1.9 million people displaced and only a limited amount of materials reaching the enclave to build shelters.
With UNICEF partners provide support to thousands of affected families. The foundation’s work includes installing temporary water pipes, distributing hygiene supplies, tarps and blankets, providing access to toilets, cleaning and restoring sewer pipes, clearing storm drains and protecting tents from flooding.