By Wallace Mawire
The State of Palestine has called on the international community, the United Nations and its specialized agencies, international humanitarian and relief organizations to take immediate and coordinated action to save lives in the Gaza Strip and address the escalating humanitarian and environmental catastrophe as winter sets in.
Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Zimbabwe, Dr Tamer Almassri highlighted that the first rainfall had exposed the devastating conditions facing forcibly displaced Palestinians.
According to preliminary estimates, the Ambassador said more than 70,000 tents sheltering tens of thousands of people have been flooded, while walls and buildings weakened by the Israeli bombardment have collapsed, causing injuries among civilians.
He said this is not simply the result of severe weather but the direct consequence of prolonged Israeli genocide, the widespread destruction of infrastructure, continued displacement, and the denial of essential humanitarian assistance and adequate shelter.
Dr Almassri said Israel continues to obstruct the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolutions 2720 and 2803.
He added that nearly two million Palestinians are enduring appalling humanitarian conditions across approximately 270,000 tents and displacement sites throughout the Gaza Strip. He said an
estimated 60 to 85% of the tents are worn out and unfit for use.
“More than 400,000 displaced people are living in particularly vulnerable areas exposed to flooding, rainwater accumulation and coastal hazards,” he said.
The state says the destruction of sewage and rainwater drainage networks further compounds the risks. It says children, older persons and patients lack adequate winter clothing, blankets, mattresses and safe heating, while electricity outages and fuel shortages leave them increasingly exposed to life-threatening cold and disease.
The state of Palestine has stressed that urgent action must go beyond statements of concern and calls for the immediate pressure on Israel to open all crossings and ensure the unrestricted and sustained entry of humanitarian assistance in sufficient quantities, reaching all areas of Gaza, urgent entry of fuel and equipment to operate water and sewage systems and remove floodwater and wastewater, the provision of emergency winter shelter, including temporary housing, weather-resistant tents, waterproof materials and supplies to repair damaged buildings, the delivery of winter clothing, blankets, mattresses and safe heating supplies, particularly for children, infants, older persons and patients,
an urgent health and preventive response, including medicines, medical supplies, clean water, sanitation materials and measures to prevent disease outbreaks and the entry of essential logistical and technical equipment to support municipalities, civil defence teams and humanitarian responders in protecting civilians.
Ambassador Almassri emphasized that the international community has the means and the responsibility to act and must exert immediate pressure to ensure the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and guarantee the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.
“Leaving nearly two million Palestinians exposed to rain, flooding, freezing temperatures, and sewage, without adequate shelter or basic necessities, is exposing them to preventable suffering and loss of life. The time to act is now,” Ambassador Almassri said.