AMMAN, Jordan: The World Health Organisation (WHO) urgently appealed for approximately US$80 million to address critical humanitarian needs in the occupied Palestinian territories, with a special focus on the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, WHO aims to implement emergency response plans in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan through 2023.
"The organisation emphasised its commitment to expanding emergency and trauma services, ensuring continued access to healthcare, managing chronic conditions, and implementing disease monitoring and control measures, particularly in areas of displacement," reported Jordan's Petra news agency.
The health system in the besieged Gaza Strip is severely strained due to air strikes and shortages of essential supplies such as medical resources, food, water, and fuel. Hospitals are overwhelmed, grappling with an influx of patients and displaced individuals seeking refuge.
This crisis has significantly compromised the provision of healthcare services, spanning from maternal and newborn care to the treatment of chronic illnesses.
WHO underscored the extensive impact of the Israeli conflict on Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, resulting in a staggering toll on civilian lives.
Thousands lost their lives or sustained injuries, and over 1.4 million people were forced to flee their homes.
Regrettably, there have been 171 attacks on healthcare facilities in these areas, leading to the tragic loss of 493 lives and injuring 387 individuals. Among these incidents, 56 directly affected health facilities, while 130 targeted healthcare workers as of Oct 24.
The imminent collapse of the healthcare system, along with dwindling access to essential services like clean water, food, and fuel, poses a grave threat to civilian lives. Furthermore, the mass migration to shelters lacking adequate resources raises the risk of a widespread disease outbreak. --BERNAMA