UNRWA: Overcrowding of displaced persons’ camps in Gaza increases infectious diseases amid shortages of vaccines and medicines

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned of an increase in infectious diseases due to overcrowding of displaced persons camps in the Gaza Strip and lack of hygiene.

“The overcrowding of displacement camps and the lack of hygiene increase the spread of infectious diseases in light of the lack of medicines,” the UN agency said in its account on the X platform today, pointing out that its teams continue to provide health care to vulnerable people in Gaza, including children and the elderly.

The agency explained that vaccines and medicines in the sector are insufficient and there is an urgent need for safe and unrestricted access for relief and aid teams.

Earlier, the agency said that about one million Palestinians have been displaced again from Rafah over the past three weeks, pointing out that this happened despite the lack of a safe place to go amid shelling, lack of food, water and piles of waste, expressing regret that providing assistance and protection has become almost impossible in the Gaza Strip.

Amal Farhat