Aid Surging into Gaza ‘at Scale’ but Massive Needs Remain: OCHA, WHO
21 January 2025, 12:00 | Gaza
International aid is pouring into Gaza “at scale” to meet the urgent needs of the besieged enclave, but massive gaps remain, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Following the recent escalation in violence between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza, aid agencies have scaled up their response to address the humanitarian crisis. The Israeli blockade of Gaza has severely restricted the movement of goods and people into and out of the territory, exacerbating the already dire situation.
“The response to the recent escalation has been scaled up at scale, with a massive amount of aid being provided to the people of Gaza,” said Matthias Schmale, the head of OCHA in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. “However, there are still massive gaps in meeting the needs of the population.”
The UN has allocated $10 million to support the immediate humanitarian response, and a number of countries have pledged additional aid. The United States has provided $5 million, while the European Union has pledged €10 million.
The aid is being used to provide food, water, shelter, and medical supplies to those affected by the violence. The UN is also supporting the repair of damaged homes and infrastructure.
Despite the influx of aid, the needs in Gaza remain immense. The UN estimates that at least 250,000 people have been displaced from their homes, and hundreds of thousands more are in need of food, water, and medical care.
The WHO has warned that the health system in Gaza is “on the brink of collapse.” The organization estimates that at least 40% of health facilities have been damaged or destroyed in the violence.
“The health system in Gaza is at risk of collapse. Hundreds of thousands of people are in need of urgent medical care,” said Dr. Gerald Rockenschaub, the head of the WHO office in Gaza. “We need to act now to save lives.”
The UN and other aid agencies are calling on the Israeli government to lift the blockade on Gaza and allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need. The agencies are also urging the Palestinian authorities to work together to restore calm and prevent further escalation of violence.
“The people of Gaza have suffered enough. The violence must end, and the blockade must be lifted,” said Schmale. “We need to work together to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Gaza.”
Aid surging into Gaza ‘at scale’ but massive needs remain: OCHA, WHO
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