War in the Middle East - Diseases continue to spread in the Gaza Strip
According to the UN emergency aid office OCHA, diseases are on the rise in the temporary shelters in the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands of displaced people are living in cramped conditions. Health services have long been overwhelmed, and new displacements ordered by Israel have made their task even more difficult.
The head of the World Health Organization(WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, listed the cases of illness on the online platform X, formerly Twitter. According to the report, 180,000 people were already suffering from respiratory infections and more than 136,000 children under the age of five from diarrhea. There are more than 55,000 cases of lice and scabies.
Diarrhea is life-threatening for children under the age of five if they are not treated because the body loses water and important minerals.
According to OCHA, the UN Children's Fund delivered 600,000 vaccine doses to the Gaza Strip on Friday. The aim is for young children to receive their routine vaccinations next year despite the war. This includes vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, for example.
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The Gaza Strip, a region Stricken by conflict and displacement, is witnessing an increase in diseases among its population, as mentioned by OCHA. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the alarming numbers of respiratory infections, diarrhea, and skin diseases affecting over 180,000 adults and over 136,000 children under five. The Middle East, specifically the Palestinian territories, is facing an urgent health crisis, with over 55,000 cases of lice and scabies.
Israel's forced displacements have further complicated the situation, putting a strain on already overwhelmed healthcare services in the Gaza Strip. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered 600,000 vaccine doses to the region on Friday, aiming to ensure that young children receive their routine vaccinations in 2023, despite the ongoing conflict.
Human rights organizations have condemned Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, citing the disproportionate impact on civilians, particularly children. The international community, through bodies like the WHO and OCHA, continues to call for a ceasefire and improved access to healthcare and essential services in the region. Switzerland, as a champion of human rights and peace, has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to alleviate the suffering in the Gaza Strip.
Source: www.stern.de
