Olga Cherevko, a staff member with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has told Al Jazeera from Gaza’s Deir el-Balah that the situation in the enclave is now “absolutely catastrophic”.

“More than 400,000 people have now been displaced in just over three weeks,” Cherevko stated.

She highlighted that a “massive shortage of water” and destruction of water facilities has led to “absolutely appalling” hygiene conditions.

A lack of water has contributed to the spread of skin rashes and public health issues, including fleas, mites and lice, according to Cherevko.

“Absolutely zero supplies have come in in over 40 days”, which means OCHA is “running out of everything, including critical medical and trauma supplies”, she was quoted as saying.