Senior Humanitarian Coordinator in Gaza highlights inhumane conditions and need for political will

In statements to reporters after the end of the session, Kach stated that she spoke before the Council “About the inhuman conditions in which our fellow human beings, civilians, young and old, try to survive.”adding that it was drawn before the council ‘A very bleak picture’ As civilians continue to suffer in Gaza.

She warned that the obstacles faced by the United Nations and civilians there prevent the ultimate goal of delivering aid to civilians.

The UN official said that she reminded the Security Council that since last April, she had spoken about the danger of the collapse of law and order, especially lawlessness and looting. “Which has worsened in the midst of already very difficult circumstances. It also affects what remains of the social fabric and stability.”.

Re-opening the Rafah crossing

The United Nations Chief Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza said that if the political will is present and the parties reach agreements and adhere to them – as happened in the polio vaccination campaign – “Then we can reach people.”.

Kach referred to the requests they submitted to the Israeli government; Some are old and some are new or complementary, including for example the urgent need for winter supplies, health items and all the basic supplies that Gaza lacks. She said that she discussed with the Israeli government the clear line of the United Nations regarding the mandate of the Palestine Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), “It is an indispensable role, especially in Gaza.”.

added: “What we also need when we talk about aid to Gaza is the reopening of the Rafah crossing.”.

Governance and security arrangements

The UN official also stressed that the Gaza Strip needs to restart the commercial sector, adding: “People want to buy, they want to see a wide variety of goods, and we need to keep pushing to expand what are considered dual-use goods.”.

She warned that the needs of civilians in Gaza cannot be met, even by intensifying and expanding the scope of humanitarian aid, without the commercial sector. Kach referred to another topic discussed in the Security Council session, which was the need for clarifications regarding arrangements related to governance and security in Gaza.

The UN official said: “The voice and position of the international community are clear. We need the Palestinian Authority back. It has the plans for early recovery and reconstruction, and it has the staff. We can help organize financing.”.

Kach added that the United Nations and many other partners and Palestinian and international non-governmental organizations can work to promote those goals and establish a Palestinian state alongside a safe State of Israel. The UN official spoke about the efforts she has made over the past months, including establishing trust and ongoing negotiations and talks with the parties.