In a further illustration of the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Israeli offensive on Gaza, the United Nations revealed a widespread outbreak of environmental diseases in areas where Palestinians are displaced.
Grave Health Risks
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that civilians in Gaza face major health risks, compounding the existing crises of insecurity and lack of shelter, said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, at a press conference.
83% Infested with Rodents
Haq explained that “a widespread infestation of rodents and external parasites has been observed in 83% of the areas where displaced people are living,” amid extremely poor sanitation conditions, including sewage and stagnant water in the streets.
Nine tons of pesticides daily
He noted that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners distribute nine tons of rodenticides daily in the Gaza Strip to combat this threat, stressing that mitigating health risks requires continuous access to vital equipment and materials such as spare parts and engine oils.
A siege exacerbates suffering
These figures reflect the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe endured by the residents of Gaza due to the ongoing siege and the destruction of sanitation and waste management infrastructure, which threatens the spread of diseases among hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
