Gaza crisis deepens: 77% lack aid amid dire humanitarian struggle
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, with 77% of Palestinians lacking essential relief items, according to international NGO ActionAid. The New Arab reported the January 1st announcement from the NGO, which underscores urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire and increased aid access amidst the worsening conditions.
Reham Al-Jaafari, Director of Support and Advocacy at ActionAid, described the past three months as the harshest for Palestinians due to severe restrictions on relief supplies, famine, disease outbreaks, and a collapsing health sector. Speaking to Voice of Palestine, Al-Jaafari said these limitations have brought Gaza’s critical sectors to the brink of collapse.
Al-Jaafari’s warnings are echoed by Amjad Al-Shawa, Director of the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) and a partner of ActionAid Palestine.
Last month, Al-Shawa highlighted a dire shortage of flour, which has forced most bread factories and community kitchens to shut down. He said:
“Children, women, elders, and people with disabilities depend on this aid, yet each Palestinian now receives less than one loaf of bread daily. It’s a real catastrophe.”
Bread, a vital staple for Gaza’s residents, is now supplied by only four operational bakeries run by the World Food Programme, severely constrained by flour and fuel shortages.
READ: 3 aid trucks have reached North Gaza in last 2.5 months
The New Arab reported that harsh winter conditions are exacerbating the suffering of displaced Palestinians. Many lack adequate shelter, face flooding in their tents, or are grappling with illness and malnutrition.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has labeled the situation “catastrophic,” citing shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and shelter, particularly in northern Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of heightened vulnerability to respiratory illnesses and malnutrition.
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has stressed that current humanitarian aid remains grossly insufficient, urging an immediate ceasefire to prevent famine.
The New Arab
