New Delhi, July 30: The United Nations has intensified efforts to assist the people of Gaza in combating significant public health threats, particularly the spread of rodents. This information was shared by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
OCHA reported on Wednesday that assessments conducted earlier this month revealed a widespread infestation of rodents and ectoparasites in 83% of the surveyed areas. Additionally, the conditions of sewage, stagnant water, and sanitation were found to be severely lacking.
In response, humanitarian partners are ramping up rodent control measures this week. The office stated that the UN Development Program and other partners are distributing nine metric tons of rodenticide daily, supplied by the United Arab Emirates.
OCHA emphasized the urgent need for continuous access to essential supplies, such as spare parts and engine oil, to reduce public health risks. It is also crucial for partners managing solid waste in Gaza to be granted access to landfills, as the Israeli military has restricted access to nearly 65% of the Gaza Strip.
Access to water remains a daily challenge for families. According to reports from the Xinhua News Agency, the UN and its partners are striving to provide essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services to millions of children and their families.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, provided updates during a regular briefing on Wednesday. He mentioned that UNICEF is assisting in the construction of a main well in Khan Younis, which will supply water to approximately 7,000 people. In Gaza City, UNICEF is also involved in the cleanup of the Sheikh Ajleen wastewater treatment plant, which previously served 700,000 people before the conflict.
Haq noted that the UN Operational Satellite Applications Program and its partners estimated that around 430,000 kindergarten and school-aged children are registered in over 600 temporary learning spaces in Gaza. This represents about 56% of the estimated student population.
He added that some of these learning spaces are running programs to help children prepare for the new school year, although nearly half of the school-going children still lack proper learning opportunities.
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