Gaza: UNICEF warns of the consequences of Israeli restrictions on children and weak groups

The United Nations Agency said that despite the massive flow of humanitarian goods to Gaza during the first stage of the ceasefire that started on January 19, this was not enough to fill the needs left by 15 months of war, while supplies convoys were repeatedly banned, disabled or canceled by the Israeli army.

UNICEF spokeswoman, Rosalia Paulin, said the inability to introduce relief materials into the sector, including vaccines and artificial respirators, “It will have serious consequences in real life.” On children and their parents.

In an interview with United Nations news from inside Gaza, Paulin said: “If we cannot insert this supply, routine vaccination will stop. Newborn’s units will not be able to care for premature infants. These are real consequences that we will deal with very soon if we cannot resume the arrival of aid supplies.”

Ms. Paulin said that the aid supplies in Gaza were already distributed widely throughout the Strip as the needs “It is so high that we were not able to store goods.”

She stressed that the last restrictions “Very devastating” Because the first stage of the ceasefire “was not just a stop for hostilities, but rather a lifeline for families here.” She added: “The mood here is very bleak. The families I speak very worried about what the future holds.”

Reverse feeding gains

The Office of Humanitarian Affairs Coordination (OCHA) reported a slight improvement in food diversity during the ceasefire, which is now going back.

The UCA office had indicated that February showed a slight improvement in the number of children, pregnant and lactating women who consume the minimum required of food groups.

The office added that about eight percent of children consume four or more food groups, citing the evaluation of its feeding partners. He said there “A noticeable increase in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, eggs and dairy productsAnd indicating an increase in the availability of these materials in the local market.

The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has allowed relief organizations such as UNICEF to expand their response by introducing the required supplies urgently and starting other basic reforms to rehabilitate the destroyed general infrastructure.

Pauline told United Nations news: “We have just managed to start increasing water production, especially in the north. We repaired the water wells, and we increased the distribution capabilities. All this will stop.”