State of Emergency Declared in Gaza
UNRWA has declared an emergency in Gaza following severe flooding over the last 48 hours. Hundreds of residents have
already evacuated their homes, and over 100 schools were forced to close, preventing nearly 100,000 children from
attending class on Friday.
This flooding is further exacerbating the shockingly dire humanitarian situation in Gaza caused by the ongoing illegal
blockade and the unprecedented destruction from the latest Israeli assault this summer, which left 110,000 people in
Gaza homeless.
Last year, the crumbling infrastructure in Gaza proved to be no match for the severe winter storms that displaced over
21,000 people and left raw sewage flowing through the streets. A similar storm this year would lead to even more
disastrous results.
That’s why, despite the danger, thousands of UNRWA staff in Gaza are working around the clock to provide emergency fuel
to supply back-up generators for pumping stations, portable pumps, municipalities, water, sanitation, and health
facilities. We are also prepared to provide shelter to anyone who becomes displaced.
We take this opportunity to once again call for the end of the blockade on Gaza.Any community would struggle to recover from a natural disaster, but for a community that has been subjected to the
collective punishment of restricted movement of people and goods and repeated military attacks, prospects for recovery
are grim.
Until there is an end to this cruel blockade, we remain completely dedicated to providing emergency assistance and
protection to the millions of vulnerable refugees in need. This holiday season, I urge you to please think of those who
have already lost so much, and are at risk of losing even more, and make a tax-deductible donation to UNRWA’s
life-saving work. Your contribution will save lives.
ENDS