Please READ AND SHARE: Remarks by UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory Mr. James W. Rawley: Today we have had a small glimpse of the damage incurred so far and the wide-range of humanitarian impacts that are emerging. These include damage to 66 schools, and the destruction of over 940 homes, as well as damage to health, education, water and sanitation facilities, and electricity infrastructure that make it increasingly difficult to provide even the most basic services. Moreover, some 16,000 Palestinians have already fled their homes and are taking refuge at shelters such as the one we are in today. But my thoughts are particularly with Gaza’s children, not only those who are already casualties of this latest conflict, but all of Gaza’s children for whom fear and insecurity are a not only a reality today but a scar that will endure for a lifetime. These recent impacts are all the more devastating as they take place against a backdrop of poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and a failed economy – what many term the “de-development” of Gaza. Added to this are the chronic energy and water shortages, which pose not only a daily challenge for Gazans, but also represent a looming crisis that will be unmanageable unless we begin to address it today. This is largely the product of years of strict movement and access restrictions imposed by Israel, the closure of the illegal tunnel trade with Egypt, and the internal Palestinian divide. In short, the civilian population of Gaza was already stretched to its limit before this latest crisis.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:51:21 +0000
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