UNICEF’s Delivery of Life-Saving Water in Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis
Amman/New York, 21 October 2023 – Amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, UNICEF has successfully delivered over 44,000 bottles of drinking water through the Rafah Crossing. This delivery, aided by the Egyptian Red Crescent, the World Health Organization, and the World Food Programme, will provide a day’s worth of water for 22,000 people.
The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with one million children facing a protection and humanitarian crisis. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasizes the urgency of the situation, saying, Every minute counts. This first delivery of water is a matter of life or death. However, the needs are immense and immediate; we require not only water but also food, fuel, medicine, and essential goods and services. Without consistent access to humanitarian supplies, we risk life-threatening disease outbreaks.
The ongoing violence in Gaza has severely damaged vital infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems. Water production capacity has plummeted to just 5% of normal levels, leaving Gaza’s 2.3 million residents surviving on a mere 3 liters of water per person per day. The dire conditions are especially perilous for the approximately one million displaced individuals, half of whom are children, seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters with limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Russell highlights the need for the protection of every child amidst this crisis, emphasizing that humanitarian agencies, including UNICEF, must be able to safely and predictably deliver assistance to those in need. All parties involved must unconditionally safeguard children from harm, ensuring they receive the special protection mandated by international humanitarian law.
In preparation for the escalating crisis, UNICEF has positioned additional emergency supplies for up to 250,000 people at the Rafah crossing. These supplies can be swiftly brought into Gaza to address the urgent requirements. However, humanitarian supplies must be allowed to reach children and families safely, regardless of their location, in accordance with the rules of war.
To address the dire situation faced by children in Gaza, UNICEF calls for the following:
– The opening of all access crossings into Gaza for the unhindered movement of humanitarian supplies and workers.
– The allowance for urgent medical cases to leave Gaza or receive critical health services.
– Safe and sustained access to water, food, healthcare, and fuel, all of which are necessary to support essential services.
– Respect and protection for civilian infrastructure, including shelters, healthcare facilities, electricity, water, and sanitation systems.
– The protection of medical missions to prevent disease outbreaks and provide care to the sick and wounded.
The delivery of life-saving water by UNICEF in Gaza marks a crucial step in addressing the dire humanitarian crisis. However, immediate and sustained action is essential to ensure the well-being and safety of the most vulnerable, particularly the children of Gaza, while avoiding further escalation of the crisis.
