The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) on Monday asked the European Union to increase humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which is experiencing an “unprecedented” situation.
“It is time to redouble the efforts of both the European Union (EU) and its member countries, thinking not only about what is happening now, but also in the future,” the director of UNRWA told the EFE news agency. in Europe. Martha Lorenzo.
This call comes on the eve of an extraordinary summit via videoconference convened by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, so that leaders can dedicate time to strategic debates on short and medium-term measures and next steps in the face of the open crisis. crisis between Israel and Hamas, according to European sources.
Marta Lorenzo highlighted that the EU has always been a “strategic” partner of UNRWA, being “one of the largest donors”, also warning of the “very important” financial instability in which this UN agency already found itself before. of this crisis in the Gaza Strip, in particular on the payments that must be made before November.
“That is why we have made an emergency appeal for $104 million to cover the most urgent needs. This appeal will probably double or triple in a few days,” warned the head of UNRWA in Europe.
Asked about the European Commission’s somewhat erratic performance last week in relation to EU aid to Palestine, Marta Lorenzo stressed that addressing “the most urgent humanitarian needs and compliance with international humanitarian law is not optional.”
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who on Saturday announced an increase in humanitarian aid to Palestine to 75 million euros, has been criticized in recent days for having defended Israel’s right to defend itself without asking, at least publicly, to the Israeli authorities who had to do it. respect international law, during last Friday’s visit.
Lorenzo, with a long history in international humanitarian aid, most of it in Palestine, assured that what is happening in Gaza “is unprecedented,” particularly in the massive displacement of people – there are 400,000 people in its shelters alone, compared to the expected maximum of 150,000, while Israel cuts basic services such as water, electricity and fuel.
“We are completely overwhelmed. There is a humanitarian crisis that we can no longer face. The needs are enormous,” Lorenzo said.
The head of UNRWA warned of the lack of “absolutely everything, but perhaps the most important thing is water and fuel”, as well as food and medicine in primary care clinics, of which only eight are operational and do not have the capacity to treating the injured or women about to give birth, for example.
Most of the displaced are now in southern Gaza, according to Lorenzo, and UNRWA does not have the capacity to deal with “an emergency of this kind.”
Before Israel’s order to evacuate northern Gaza, UNRWA already had 170,000 people sheltering in its schools, Lorenzo said, adding that many Palestinians “decided to stay.” [no norte de Gaza] simply because it is not possible to move in this context of insecurity”, the majority being elderly, women and children.
Marta Lorenzo called for the urgent opening of channels for the arrival of humanitarian aid.
“For us it is absolutely urgent that the Rafah border post be opened, that fuel, water and basic supplies be allowed in,” he said.
He also drew attention to the situation in the West Bank, which is also of concern to UNRWA.
“It was one of the years in which the most violence was recorded in the West Bank, even within the refugee camps. The main problem for our people now is being able to access the facilities,” he said.
Marta Lorenzo has lamented that this is “a catastrophic humanitarian crisis with long-term consequences.”
Source: TSF
