Humanitarian situation still ‘extremely dire’ six weeks after Gaza truce: Unicef
Saleem Oweis, a spokesman for Unicef based in al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, says that six weeks after the Gaza truce began, the humanitarian situation is still extremely dire.
“Thankfully, children and families are safe from the bombardment at this time. Children are still suffering from the outcomes of the continued violence for 16 months,” Oweis told Al Jazeera.
He noted seven children in Gaza have died from hypothermia because of the cold weather and lack of proper shelter as Israel has failed to adhere to its ceasefire pledge to allow temporary homes, tents and tarpaulins into the Strip.
“The needs are tremendous: shelter, food, clean water, which is still not available for many. Ramadan is here, and it’s even more important for families to find the nutritious food they need to sustain themselves.
“Although the ceasefire allowed for more goods in the markets, it’s too expensive for most who have been cut out of any income for the past 16 months. We need to just open the doors and get all the aid that is necessary without any restrictions.”