NEW YORK (Palestine Foundation Information Center) The UN Senior Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, said early Wednesday, “the situation in Gaza is completely devastated and the picture is bleak as civilians in the Strip continue to suffer.”
The UN Security Council held a closed session on Gaza late last night.
Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters, following her briefing, Kaag referred to the inhumane conditions in which civilians are trying to survive, young and old, warning that the obstacles facing the UN and civilians there prevent achieving the ultimate goal of delivering aid to civilians.”
The UN official said that she had reminded the Security Council since last April of the risk of order and law collapse, especially lawlessness and looting, “which has worsened amidst already very difficult circumstances, and is also affecting what remains of social fabric and stability.”
She pointed out that if there is political will and the parties reach and adhere to agreements – as happened with the polio vaccination campaign – “then we can reach the people.”
Kaag mentioned the requests they submitted to the Israeli government, including winter and health supplies and all the basic supplies that Gaza lacks, noting that she “discussed with the Israeli government the clear position of the United Nations regarding the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which plays an indispensable role, especially in Gaza.”
“What we also need when we talk about bringing aid to Gaza is the reopening of the Rafah crossing,” she added.
The UN official stressed that the Gaza Strip needs to restart the commercial sector, as “people want to buy a variety of goods, and we need to continue to pressure.”
