UNFPA Fact Sheet about Gaza 25 July Gaza strip is undergoing massive Israeli offensive since 6th July. As of23nd of July, and according to operations room data, this offensive resulted in: 788 people killed (M:625, F: 163) (Of which 190 children, 40 elderly), 5118 persons injured (M: 3418, F: 1700) (Of which 1561 children, 203 elderly), According to UNRWA records, there are 130,000 registered displaced people hosted in 86 UNRWA schools. According to human rights watch information, the total number of displaced as of today reached 300,000 people. According to OCHA report as of 22nd july 2014, 72000 children are in need for psychosocial interventions. This number is expected to be higher at the time of this report. 4 hospitals, 12 health clinics and 5 ambulances sustained complete damage and are out of function. One 100-bed hospitals was directly hit resulting in its evacuation. Due to extreme risk of movement, 27 out of 54 MOH primary health care centers and 7 out of 20 UNRWA primary healthcare centers are closed especially due to active military operation in their proximity. Problems with transportation, interrupted salaries in the last four months, medical staff are not able to report to work and therefore, 12-24 hour shifts are adopted in Gaza hospitals. Due to this and extremely high number of casualties, workers are under unbearable stress. Impact of military operation on maternal health: Two pregnant women were reported killed and one maternal mortality due to bleeding occurred due to delays in accessing Shifa hospital. A total of 41 families were totally killed with a probability of having pregnant women amongst victims. The highlight of today is the news about a pregnant woman, who was killed, but the medical team at Shuhada`a Aqsa hospital in Deir Balah were able to rescue the baby. Due to lack of resources, inability to pay and extremely dangerous movement, private maternities were closed and it was noted that home deliveries are on increase. In one area in Gaza city, home deliveries reported from Sabha hospital have increased from 2 per year to 12 cases during the three weeks of military operations. Strike over deir El-balah hospital providing around 350 deliveries per month resulted in interruption of maternity services for one day. Women in Deir Balah area sought private clinic services or home delivery instead. Closure of Harzeen maternity in Shajaeya neighborhood with 250 deliveries per month has resulted in further major influx of delivery cares to Shifa hospital exacerbating already high load over obstetric services in the largest maternity in Gaza strip. Data from Shifa maternity shows a 40% increase in all services provided in the maternity hospital. As expected, due to extremely stressful conditions experienced by pregnant women, it was reported that a remarkable increase in pregnancy-related complications is noted. Specifically, miscarriages, bleeding, pre-term labor and intra-uterine fetal deaths are more frequently seen in this maternity. Around 20000 people have fled into shifa hospital seeking refuge, which further affects the capacity to provide services. As part of the emergency preparedness, UNFPA and through funding from the Saudi Development Bank has established and equipped 13 emergency delivery centers throughout the Gaza strip. These hubs were utilized to offer safe delivery services to women caught in remote areas. However, two of those hubs were hit and hence closed and due to escalation of military operation, no needs assessment was conducted to inform about the functionality of other hubs but is planned as security situation permits. In projection of data from the human right watch, it is expected that a total of 66,000 women in reproductive age are now displaced whether at the UNRWA shelters, MOSA shelters, at Shifa hospitals or at relative`s. Among those, there are around 6,000 pregnant women with 900 of those having high risk pregnancy and based on current pattern, an estimated 1,200 will need urgent obstetric intervention including caesarian section. According to informant from Shifa hospital, vulnerability of women and their exposure to violence will increase the proportion of complicated pregnancies and this is what is being witnessed by the hospitals staff. According to the same informant and while there is no possibility to develop report on this at this point of time, they have witnessed severe increase of obstetric compilations compared with period prior to the start of military operations. Extremely violent environment and living conditions within the shelter, in addition to the fact that all people have fled their homes on very short notice is undermining women’s dignity and mental wellbeing. According to OCHA report, UNFPA response: Currently, UNFPA is procuring critically needed medications and medical consumables to contribute to maintaining the function of health system and assist displaced women and girls. In particular, UNFPA and in cooperation with the operation room at the Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation and participate in the cluster meetings to advocate for women caught in conflict. Also, UNFPA has supported PMRS to provide RH services to displaced women and girls in shelters, distribution of dignity kits to displaced families and Also, UNFPA supported youth volunteers for providing psychosocial support to women and children. Through assigning one UNFPA staff to work closely with the health operation room, UNFPA will be monitoring closely the impact of the current military operation on women and girls and will develop frequently sit-reps With support from the regional office, the country office will deploy reproductive health kits to support .
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 12:30:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015