UNRWA: More than 70% of the population in Gaza Strip was forcibly displaced…children are dying of hunger

Gaza, (ST) –  The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) revealed that the number of residents of Gaza Strip that were forcibly displaced from their homes exceeded 1.5 million people.

The agency’s director of external relations Tamara Al-Rifai said in a statement: More than 70 percent of the population in various areas of Gaza have become displaced since the 7th of last October. Most of the displacedare living in horrific conditions in United Nations’ shelters.

Al-Rifai explained that “nearly half of the displaced, or 717,000, reside in 149 facilities affiliated with the agency in all areas of Gaza, including in the north, while more than 557,000 reside in 92 facilities in central Gaza, Khan Yunis, and Rafah regions.

Al-Rifai noted that UNRWA is unable to reach many of these shelters to assist or protect the displaced and has no information about their needs and conditions. She described the conditions of its crowded facilities as deteriorating. She warned of the risk of the situation turning into a public health crisis due to the damage caused to the water and sanitation infrastructure.

Thousands of cases of respiratory infections, skin infections, diarrhea and chickenpox have been detected, she clarified.

She pointed out that what raises humanitarian and environmental concerns is the decomposition of bodies under collapsed buildings amid limited rescue efforts, in addition to the dire situation of children and fears for their lives and health.

Raghda Sawas