The humanitarian situation in Gaza and other regions facing conflicts and disasters continues to deteriorate. The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, recently said that almost 90% of Gaza’s population, or 1.9 million people, have been displaced. Precarious living conditions, with only 15 partially functional hospitals, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, as well as overcrowding, create an environment conducive to the spread of disease.
Humanitarian access to Gaza poses almost insurmountable challenges due to heavy bombardment, restrictions on movement, fuel shortages and disrupted communications. WHO and its partners face challenges reaching people in need. Despite the availability of supplies, teams and plans, lack of access hampers humanitarian operations.
The WHO has expressed frustrations over the repeated denial of its requests for missions in northern Gaza. Essential missions, such as supplying fuel, food and water, were canceled. The situation is all the more worrying as all regions of Gaza are considered dangerous, making it impossible for humanitarian teams to move without proper authorization.
WHO calls on Israel to approve requests for the provision of humanitarian aid and calls for the creation of safe corridors to allow the safe passage of aid and aid workers, even in the absence of a ceasefire fire. The organization also urges all parties to protect health services in accordance with international humanitarian law.
In addition to the situation in Gaza, the humanitarian situation in Sudan also continues to deteriorate. The nine months of conflict have led to increasing violence, mass displacement, the spread of diseases such as cholera, insecurity and looting, hampering the efforts of WHO and its partners to save lives. There is also an increase in gender-based violence and child recruitment. Child malnutrition has become endemic, with 3.5 million children under the age of five suffering from acute malnutrition and more than 100,000 requiring hospitalization for severe malnutrition.
Finally, in Ethiopia, the health crisis is worsening in certain regions of the country, notably the northwestern region of Amhara, affected by conflict since April 2023. Movement restrictions are hampering the delivery of humanitarian aid and violence affects access to health facilities, with the destruction or damage of 61 health facilities. Famine and epidemics are also reported in Tigray and Amhara regions.
While emphasizing these critical humanitarian situations, it is important to remember that COVID-19 continues to circulate and mutate. Despite no longer being considered a global health emergency, there remains a need for continued prevention and awareness efforts to protect vulnerable populations and contain the spread of the virus.
The current situation highlights the importance of humanitarian action and support for populations affected by conflicts and crises. It is essential that governments and international actors work together to ensure humanitarian access, protect health services and provide lifesaving assistance to those in need. International solidarity and respect for international humanitarian law are essential to alleviate suffering and rebuild devastated communities.