A Human Crisis in Healthcare
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has revealed an alarming development: Israel has blocked the entry of millions of syringes desperately needed for the children’s vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip. This action comes at a critical time when the health and well-being of children in the war-ravaged territory are already severely compromised.
In a statement, UNICEF reported that the Israeli occupying forces have impeded the delivery of essential supplies for children, including feeding bottles and syringes for vaccinations. This obstruction of humanitarian aid presents a serious challenge to global efforts aimed at protecting children from preventable diseases.
UNICEF noted that despite the fragile ceasefire situation, they have managed to launch a vaccination campaign for children in Gaza. However, securing 1.6 million syringes and a solar-powered refrigerator—crucial for vaccine preservation—remains a major hurdle. This is primarily because the necessary supplies have yet to receive customs clearance from the Israeli authorities.
UN Agencies Maintain Resolve Amidst Conflict
Meanwhile, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), informed a British broadcaster that his agency is prepared for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Gaza. This declaration follows an earlier UN report that Israel had destroyed four of their buildings in Gaza.
Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA continues its operations in Gaza despite potential restrictions posed by the Israeli Parliament. He stressed the need for the UN subsidiary agency to have the freedom and facility to perform its duties in Gaza independently and without interference, enabling it to assist millions of displaced refugees.
