In a press conference, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative for the West Bank and Gaza, told reporters that no hospital was operating in the southernmost town of Rafah in the southern Rafah region, after the attack by Israel there.
The number of hospital beds has dropped dramatically, from 3,500 before the war broke out, to 1,400 today, he said.
He said that 600 of these 1,400 are provided by field hospitals "so now from the Ministry of Health and NGO fixed hospitals, there are only 800 hospital beds working of 3,500, plus 600 hospital beds, for a population of 2.2 million". .
WHO officials also stressed the urgency of allowing critically ill patients to leave Gaza, saying around 10,000 patients still needed urgent evacuation, half of them with trauma. severe – including spinal cord injuries and amputations.
Despite the readiness of hospitals in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to receive patients – along with neighboring countries – safe corridors for evacuation are essential, he highlighted: first, to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, second, to Egypt through Rafah, with Jordan. as a third option.
Many countries offered medical evacuation services Dr. Peeperkorn helped. "Don’t let politics stand in the way of life-saving care for critically ill patients," he pleaded.
The entire population was traumatized
Also of concern is the health crisis in Gaza, affecting 2.2 million residents and humanitarian workers.
“About the children… About the youth. It’s about women. It’s about men. About the elderly. This is about health workers. Regarding the first responders…No one is unaffected by the incident, and this also requires special attention to early recovery and rehabilitation,” Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized.
Stop targeting schools
In another development, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA), reported that attacks on schools in Gaza have been almost daily.
"At least eight schools have been hit in the last 10 days, including six UNRWA schools," he said in an article in X. "Girls and boys in Gaza have been robbed of their childhood and education." ".
He added that the school should not be used for war or military purposes by anyone in the war.
"The school is not a target," he stressed.
’Wet Every Day'
Speaking to reporters at the stake in New York on Wednesday afternoon, Muhannad Hadi, the humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, described Gaza as a situation there is "everything important" that causes humanity to face "challenges on every side."
When he returned from the central region last week, he shared harrowing testimonies from women in the Gaza Strip, describing how they had gone months without rain. in a lack of privacy.
"Some women have told me that they have to cut their hair – shave their heads completely – because of the lack of shampoolack of hygiene, lack of health equipment," he said.
He described the feeling of danger, noting that "there is no safe place in Gaza".
"People are stuck on the streets, displaced many times, with very little," added Mr. Hadi, stressing that the situation is sad for everyone, especially women, children, the elderly and those with special needs.
’Two Million Sad Stories'
He also highlighted the lack of proper shelter, explaining that there are few real tents.
"People are trying to sew plastic sheets to cover themselves throughout the night," he explained. Constant migration means that families must quickly pick up what they can – especially their loved ones – and move from place to place.
"There are two million sad stories in Gaza. Seeing Gaza in the news, reading about Gaza is one thing, but going there and listening to the plight of the people is another thing”, said Mr. Hadi, emphasizing the emotional strain of the ongoing crisis.
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