Date: 15/11/2023
By: Ahmed Gabr
Occupied Palestinian Territory The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says all but one of the hospitals in Gaza City and northern Gaza are reportedly out of service as of yesterday, due to the lack of power, medical items, oxygen, food and water – and compounded by bombardments and fighting in their vicinities. Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, which currently accommodates more than 500 patients, is the sole medical facility able to receive patients, amid increasing shortages and challenges. Hospitals and medical personnel are specifically protected under international humanitarian law, and all parties to the conflict must ensure their protection. They must not be the object of combat. Any military operation around or within hospitals must take steps to spare and protect patients, medical staff, and other civilians. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned yesterday that its humanitarian operations, including the distribution of aid entering through the Rafah crossing, are expected to halt within the next 48 hours, following the total depletion of its fuel reserves. In this context, two primary water distribution contractors working for the agency in the south ceased operations yesterday, leaving 200,000 people without access to potable water. Furthermore, humanitarian organizations are facing severe communication breakdowns, which is also associated with fuel depletion. Hundreds of thousands of people who are either unwilling or unable to move to the south remain in the north, amid intensified hostilities. They are struggling to secure the minimum amount of water and food for survival. The consumption of water from unsafe sources raises serious concerns about dehydration and waterborne diseases. The World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed concern about the risks of malnutrition and starvation. A total of 115 trucks carrying food, medicines, health supplies, bottled water, blankets, tents and hygiene products crossed from Egypt into Gaza yesterday. This brings the number of trucks that have entered Gaza since 21 October to 1,096. Niger According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the national aviation authorities in Niger have informed the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) that flight restrictions are now lifted for domestic operations, and that services can resume as of tomorrow. The resumption of domestic UNHAS services will facilitate the uninterrupted and secure delivery of an average of nearly 2.4 metric tons of cargo monthly, mostly essential medical supplies for people in need. It will also ensure critical medical and security evacuations for humanitarian staff. However, fuel sustainability for UNHAS flights remains a challenge. Ukraine The Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, condemned yesterday’s attacks in the southern city of Kherson that reportedly killed and injured dozens of civilians, including a two-month-old girl, who was hospitalized for her injuries. According to Ukrainian officials, homes, a hospital and an ambulance were reportedly struck, with two health care workers and one patient reported to be among the injured. The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified more than 1,300 attacks on health care in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. This accounts for more than half of all attacks against health care in the world over this period. Attacks in Kherson are also putting aid workers at risk: On 9 November, volunteers for two Ukrainian NGOs were injured while delivering humanitarian assistance. In her statement, Ms. Brown reiterated that attacks on civilians, health workers and health facilities constitute grave violations. Democratic Republic of the Congo In a statement today, the Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Suzanna Tkalec, expressed concern over the deterioration of the security situation and increasing attacks against aid workers in the east of the country. Yesterday, in Fizi territory in South Kivu province, armed individuals attacked a humanitarian convoy, abducted two aid workers, and set their vehicles on fire. Fortunately, the aid workers were released unharmed later in the day. This is the latest of a series of incidents of violence targeting humanitarian personnel and assets in the region. Since the beginning of the year, 217 security incidents affecting humanitarians have been reported across the country, including three people killed. Somalia The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that heavy rains and floods in Somalia have affected more than 1.2 million people – displacing 450,000 of them and killing at least 32 people. Very heavy rain is expected in southern Somalia this week, with risk of riverine and flash floods. Rains are also expected to be heavy in parts of Somaliland and Galmudug State. Since early October, rains have washed away roads, damaged bridges, flooded schools and inundated farmland. The damage is extensive. The UN, authorities and partners have scaled up assistance, reaching nearly 680,000 people – roughly 55 per cent of those affected – across the country with food, water, sanitation and cash assistance. UN agencies are also supporting the delivery of boats to help evacuate trapped people and deliver assistance. More than 20 boats are already operating in flood-affected areas, and efforts are underway to deliver additional boats from Mogadishu. More than 100,000 people who were cut off from market supplies in Doolow and Bardheere, Middle Juba region, are receiving food and non-food items by boat. About half of the 400 families in Luuq, Jubaland, that were trapped by floods have been evacuated. While needs are escalating, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia is less than 40 per cent funded. Additional funds are urgently required to scale up and sustain the response.