A senior official with the United Nations’ Palestinian refugee agency has highlighted the immense challenges facing aid workers in Gaza as they gear up to expand their response efforts following a ceasefire agreement and hostage deal. More than 2 million people in Gaza have been displaced due to over 15 months of Israeli bombardment, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis characterized by hunger, disease, and limited medical care.
The UNRWA acting director of affairs in Gaza, Sam Rose, emphasized the obstacles aid agencies are facing, including inaccessible warehouses, disrupted distribution networks, and damaged infrastructure. The entry of aid into Gaza has been severely impeded, exacerbating the already dire situation in the region.
With a ceasefire imminent, aid workers anticipate a significant influx of people returning to Gaza City, raising concerns about logistics and congestion. The presence of unexploded ordnance poses a grave risk to civilians, particularly children, amidst the rubble and debris left by the conflict.
According to Rose, around 4,000 aid trucks have been stranded at border crossings for months, with a substantial portion of food aid awaiting delivery outside Gaza. He stressed the urgent need for a substantial increase in aid distribution from the onset of the ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of safe passage for aid trucks to facilitate the flow of essential supplies.
Rose underscored the critical need for fuel, spare parts, and other supplies to restore vital services such as hospitals, electricity plants, and water infrastructure. The resumption of regular aid deliveries is seen as a crucial step in addressing the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.
