Essential services in Gaza on the verge of collapse- IMEMC News

Emergency fuel supplies, provided by the UN for critical facilities in Gaza, are quickly depleted, OCHA Humanitarian Coordinator Jamie McGoldrick warned Sunday.

In a statement, McGoldrick called on Israel to end the restrictions preventing the import of fuel, and to donors to provide immediate funding for the emergency fuel, which should be exhausted early August.

"At least one hospital was forced to close for a few hours, and services are significantly reduced in others," McGoldrick said, according to Al Ray. "Due to power cuts of about 20 hours a day, if the fuel does not arrive immediately, people's lives will be at stake, with the most vulnerable patients, such as heart patients, dialysis patients and Newborns in intensive care, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Al Quds Hospital, which provides vital medical interventions for 150,000 people annually, including major surgeries, deliveries and intensive care, will be forced to close in the coming days, due to lack of fuel, with four other hospitals likely to run out in the next three days, thereby significantly reducing the provision of essential medical services to the Gaza population, McGoldrick stressed.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has already implemented strict emergency measures: hospitals have reduced diagnostic services, sterilization on and cleaning, which increases the risk of infection in patients.

Elective surgeries are further reduced. In recent months, more than 7,000 non-urgent surgeries have been postponed due to massive trauma and limited resources available to meet demand.

The highest risk currently is over 2,000 patients in Gaza hospitals, which rely on electrical devices, including newborns in incubators. More than 1.27 million people will be directly affected by the closure of hospitals and the reduction of vital health interventions.

In addition, reduced operation of water and sanitation facilities may increase disease and waterborne outbreaks.

At the present time, water and sanitation facilities ration available fuel reserves, which will be exhausted by the end of July if fuel imports do not resume. In addition to further reductions in water supply, this could also lead to sewer overflows in populated areas, leading to serious public health risks. Funding for the emergency fuel will be exhausted for all essential facilities in early August, with $ 4.5 million required to cover fuel supplies until the end of the year. 39; year.

"Until more durable solutions to the electricity crisis in Gaza are found, two measures can prevent further devastation in Gaza in the short term," said Mr. McGoldrick. "Israel must leave fuel and other essential supplies and donors must mobilize resources to ensure that essential facilities receive the fuel they need."

Since July 16 , the Israeli authorities ban fuel entry into the Gaza Strip. Band, in the context of tighter import and export restrictions, reportedly reacted to the launching of incendiary kites from Gaza to Israel.

According to OCHA, every month, the UN distributes an average of 950,000 liters to some 220 hospitals and critical health centers; water and wastewater treatment sites; and solid waste collection services. Deliveries ensure that a minimum level of vital services can be maintained in the midst of the severe power shortage in the Gaza Strip.

At present, nearly two million Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of whom are children, receive electricity for up to four hours a day. More than 60% of the emergency fuel is consumed by some 50 health facilities.

Recent events have exacerbated the current humanitarian crisis caused by 11 years of Israeli blockade that has raised concerns about collective punishment and human rights violations, along with an internal Palestinian political division unresolved.

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