The Palestinian ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh, has called for urgent assistance from across the globe to save Gaza from impending famine.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the envoy said that should nothing be done to forestall the current catastrophe brought about by incessant attacks by Israeli forces and the distortion of humanitarian aid movement into Gaza, the besieged city may soon be faced with famine and epidemic.
According to him, Thursday marked 132 days since the war began; thousands of people have died due to a lack of proper medical treatment. He alleged that Palestinians in Gaza are being forced to choose between being killed, maimed, or fleeing their homes, and 70 per cent of them are already refugees who fled their homeland 76 years ago.
Shawesh, quoting Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said: “Today, I’m sounding the alarm once again: Military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter in Gaza. They could also leave an already fragile humanitarian operation at death’s door.
“As a result of this continuous war, humanitarian workers have been shot at, held at gunpoint, attacked, and killed, they lack the safety guarantees, aid supplies, and staff capacity to keep operations afloat.”
Shawesh also said that there is a risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases due to unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and the heavy burden on the health system.
“Out of the 22 health units affiliated with the UNRWA, only four are operating due to the destruction and access restrictions; only 13 hospitals out of 36 in Gaza are functioning.
“According to the Minister of Health, there have been 223,000 cases of acute respiratory infections, 158,000 cases of diarrhoea, 53 per cent of which were among children under the age of five, 55,472 cases of scabies and lice, 38,010 cases of skin rash, and 5,330 cases of chickenpox, in addition to several cases of relapsing hepatitis,” he added.
The ambassador stressed that the international community has been warning against the dangerous consequences of any ground invasion in Rafah, and the government of Israel cannot continue to ignore these calls.
Palestinian ambassador raises alarm over impending famine in Gaza
