UN Agencies Warn of Worsening Humanitarian Disaster as Food, Shelter, and Medical Supplies Remain Critically Insufficient
Gaza [Palestine], December 21: More than two million people in Gaza remain trapped in catastrophic conditions, facing severe shortages of food, shelter, and healthcare, according to Louise Wateridge, Emergency Officer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Wateridge described the situation as inescapable, stating that “every possible route leads to death.” Supplies intended for Gaza have been stranded outside the region for six months, forcing humanitarian agencies to make impossible choices between feeding people and providing shelter.
Worsening Weather and Shelter Crisis
The crisis is being compounded by worsening weather conditions, with heavy rain and dropping temperatures intensifying the suffering of displaced families. Despite the freezing conditions, food distribution has taken priority over shelter assistance, leaving thousands exposed to the cold without adequate protection.
UNICEF: A War on Children
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has issued a grave warning about the devastating toll on children in Gaza. Rosalia Bolin, UNICEF’s Chief Communications Officer in Gaza, called the situation “a war on children,” highlighting the world’s collective responsibility to end their suffering.
Bolin stressed that Gaza remains one of the most heart-wrenching places for humanitarian workers, where every attempt to save a child’s life is overshadowed by relentless devastation and lack of resources.
In over 14 months of conflict, more than 14,500 children have been killed, with thousands more injured.
Children Facing Harsh Winter Conditions
As winter takes hold, children in Gaza are being forced to endure cold and damp conditions, with many still wearing summer clothes and walking barefoot through debris.
Bolin described heartbreaking scenes of children scavenging through rubble for plastic to burn for warmth, while disease spreads unchecked due to the lack of functioning healthcare services and ongoing attacks on hospitals.
A Call for Urgent Action
Both UNRWA and UNICEF are urgently appealing for unhindered access to humanitarian aid, increased international support, and immediate action to prevent further loss of life.
The agencies stress that every moment of delay deepens the tragedy, leaving millions of innocent lives at risk in a region that has already endured unimaginable suffering.
