Gaza is experiencing a health catastrophe that will last for generations to come, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that a massive increase in aid is needed to begin to address the complex needs of the Strip's population. Israel has allowed more medical supplies and other aid to cross into Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas came into effect on 10 October, but Dr. Tedros said levels are below those needed to rebuild the territory's healthcare system. His intervention comes as the US attempts to shore up the ceasefire it helped to broker following an outbreak of violence at the weekend.
The agreement has been described by the White House as the first phase of a 20-point peace plan that includes an increase to the amount of aid entering Gaza, and supplies distributed without interference from either side. Dr. Tedros told the Today programme he welcomed the ceasefire deal but said the increase in aid that followed has been smaller than expected.
Asked about the situation on the ground, he said Gazans had experienced famine, overwhelming injuries, a collapsed healthcare system, and outbreaks of disease fueled by the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure. He continued: On top of that, [there is] restricted access to humanitarian aid. This is a very fatal combination, so that makes [the situation] catastrophic and beyond words.
When asked about long-term health prospects in Gaza, he added: If you take the famine and combine it with a mental health problem which we see is rampant, then the situation is a crisis for generations to come.
Tom Fletcher, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said earlier this week that aid groups are turning the tide on the starvation crisis but that far more was needed. On Tuesday, the UN's World Food Programme said lorries carrying more than 6,700 tonnes of food had entered since 10 October, but that was still considerably below its 2,000-tonnes-a-day target. Six hundred aid lorries a day need to be arriving in Gaza but the average is between 200 and 300, Dr. Tedros said, as he called on Israeli authorities to de-link aid and the wider conflict.
He also said supplies intended be used to restore Gaza's health system have been confiscated at the border because Israeli authorities say they could have a military use. Thousands of Palestinians are waiting for weekly medical evacuation flights, Dr. Tedros said, though none have taken off for two weeks due to religious holidays in Israel. He stated, If you are going to build a field hospital, you need the canvas and the pillars [for tents]. So if the pillars are removed, because of an excuse that they could be dual-use, then you can't have a tent.
Dr. Tedros remarked that aid should not be weaponised and called on Israel not to impose conditions on its delivery, as Hamas has committed to returning some remains but has yet to complete the process. He highlighted the need for unrestricted aid access and the restoration of various crossings to ensure adequate support for Gaza’s beleaguered population. Lastly, he emphasized that peace is the best medicine while expressing concern over the fragile nature of the current ceasefire.
The agreement has been described by the White House as the first phase of a 20-point peace plan that includes an increase to the amount of aid entering Gaza, and supplies distributed without interference from either side. Dr. Tedros told the Today programme he welcomed the ceasefire deal but said the increase in aid that followed has been smaller than expected.
Asked about the situation on the ground, he said Gazans had experienced famine, overwhelming injuries, a collapsed healthcare system, and outbreaks of disease fueled by the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure. He continued: On top of that, [there is] restricted access to humanitarian aid. This is a very fatal combination, so that makes [the situation] catastrophic and beyond words.
When asked about long-term health prospects in Gaza, he added: If you take the famine and combine it with a mental health problem which we see is rampant, then the situation is a crisis for generations to come.
Tom Fletcher, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said earlier this week that aid groups are turning the tide on the starvation crisis but that far more was needed. On Tuesday, the UN's World Food Programme said lorries carrying more than 6,700 tonnes of food had entered since 10 October, but that was still considerably below its 2,000-tonnes-a-day target. Six hundred aid lorries a day need to be arriving in Gaza but the average is between 200 and 300, Dr. Tedros said, as he called on Israeli authorities to de-link aid and the wider conflict.
He also said supplies intended be used to restore Gaza's health system have been confiscated at the border because Israeli authorities say they could have a military use. Thousands of Palestinians are waiting for weekly medical evacuation flights, Dr. Tedros said, though none have taken off for two weeks due to religious holidays in Israel. He stated, If you are going to build a field hospital, you need the canvas and the pillars [for tents]. So if the pillars are removed, because of an excuse that they could be dual-use, then you can't have a tent.
Dr. Tedros remarked that aid should not be weaponised and called on Israel not to impose conditions on its delivery, as Hamas has committed to returning some remains but has yet to complete the process. He highlighted the need for unrestricted aid access and the restoration of various crossings to ensure adequate support for Gaza’s beleaguered population. Lastly, he emphasized that peace is the best medicine while expressing concern over the fragile nature of the current ceasefire.
