Supplies of emergency fuel provided by the United Nations for
critical facilities in Gaza are being fast depleted, a senior UN
relief official there warned on Sunday.
“At least one hospital has been forced to shut down for a few
hours, and services are being dramatically reduced at others,”
said Jamie McGoldrick, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the
Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“Given ongoing blackouts of about 20 hours a day, if fuel does
not come in immediately, people’s lives will be at
stake, with the most vulnerable patients, like cardiac
patients, those on dialysis, and newborns in intensive care, at
highest risk”, he added.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza – controlled by Hamas, a
militant Palestinian faction – has been negatively impacted by a
blockade of the enclave imposed by Israel.
Since last Monday, the Israeli authorities have prohibited the
entry of fuel into Gaza as part of tightened import and export
restrictions, reportedly in response to the launch of incendiary
kites from Gaza into Israel, which has caused extensive property
damage.
Mr. McGoldrick called on Israel to end restrictions preventing
the import of fuel and for donors to provide immediate funding
for emergency fuel, currently set to run out in early in August.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), Al Quds Hospital, which provides
life-saving medical interventions for 150,000 people per year,
including major surgeries, deliveries and intensive care will be
forced to shut down in coming days due to lack of fuel.
Four other hospitals are likely to run out of fuel within the
next three days, thus significantly reducing the provision of
essential medical services to the population in Gaza.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health already has implemented strict
contingency measures: hospitals have reduced diagnostic,
sterilization and cleaning services, increasing the risk of
infections amongst patients.
Elective surgeries are being further reduced. Over 7,000 elective
surgeries have been postponed in recent months due to the mass
trauma casualties and low resources available to cope with the
demand.
At highest risk, currently, are over 2,000 patients in Gaza’s
hospitals, who rely on electrical devices, including neonates in
incubators.
Over 1.27 million people would be directly affected by hospital
closures and a reduction in the provision of vital health
interventions.
Additionally, the reduced functioning of water and sanitation
facilities risks an increase in waterborne disease and outbreaks.
“Until more sustainable solutions for the electricity crisis in
Gaza are found, two steps can avert further devastation in Gaza
in the short term,” said Mr. McGoldrick. “Israel must let fuel
and other essential supplies in and donors must mobilize
resources to ensure that critical facilities receive the fuel
they need.”
An average of 950,000 litres is distributed by the UN each month
to around 220 critical hospitals and health clinics; water and
sewage treatment sites; and solid waste collection services.
