The appeal came on Tuesday as hopes were raised by a new 20-point plan from the United States aimed at halting hostilities.
Ricardo Pires, Spokesperson for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that aid access and shelter are critical to avert famine and protect families from worsening conditions.
“It’s important that we get that ceasefire and then we get aid flowing in not only to prevent the famine that continues to move to the south, but also to make sure that children and families are sheltered,” he told journalists in Geneva.
He cautioned that falling temperatures will bring “a whole different range of issues”, compounding existing health risks for children and their families.
The massive displacement from northern Gaza has left the coastal settlement of Al-Mawasi “simply unable to absorb” the influx, UNICEF said. Around 400 000 people are now crammed into the site, where conditions are described as dire.
“We’re not being able to get those supplies in… It just shows how the conditions in terms of logistics and facilitation of aid continue to be very, very poor,” Pires noted, pointing to 11 000 tents and tarpaulins stockpiled but barred from entering the Strip.
According to the UN aid co-ordination office (OCHA), only 18% of Gaza remains outside displacement orders or militarised zones.
Jens Laerke, OCHA Spokesperson, confirmed that humanitarian access remains heavily restricted. On Sunday, more than 40%of missions requiring Israeli coordination were denied.
Although some community kitchens have managed to deliver 660 000 meals through 137 kitchens, much aid has been looted en route by desperate civilians or armed groups. “The current situation is chaotic,” Laerke said, underlining the “absolute” necessity of a ceasefire to re-establish a safe, coordinated aid operation.
With winter approaching and shelters overcrowded, UN officials warned that time is running out to prevent famine, disease and further loss of life.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
