Gaza Health Sector on Verge of Collapse

GAZA, Gaza City. Queuing in hope of fuel. Credit: Mohammed Omer / IPSBy Tharanga YakupitiyageUNITED NATIONS, Feb 7 2018 (IPS)UN agencies have sounded the alarm on the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, pointing to the devastating repercussions of the ongoing fuel shortages. UN agencies have appealed for donor support as emergency fuel for critical facilities in Gaza are due to run out in 10 days.In a meeting, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that Gaza is a “constant humanitarian emergency.”“Gaza remains squeezed by crippling closures…two million Palestinians are struggling everyday with crumbling infrastructure, an electricity crisis, a lack of basic services,” he said.Fuel shortages are threatening Gaza’s hospitals and sanitation services that rely on backup generators to maintain operations.If the energy supply is not replenished, at risk are emergency and diagnostic services such as x-rays, intensive care units, and operating theaters. Over 100 sewage pools, desalination plants, and solid waste collection capacity are also in jeopardy, said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).“Hospitals have already begun to close. Without funding, more service providers will be forced to suspend operations over the coming weeks, and the situation will deteriorate dramatically, with potential impacts on the entire population,” said OCHA’s Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories Roberto Valen...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Aid Armed Conflicts Asia-Pacific Crime & Justice Energy Featured Global Governance Headlines Health Human Rights Humanitarian Emergencies TerraViva United Nations Water & Sanitation Women's Health Source Type: news