Article shared by Viviane Sakkal
International health and aid groups are raising dire warnings about the humanitarian emergency unfolding in Gaza. The world appears to have lost its moral compass in allowing such extreme civilian suffering and mass casualties. Regardless of political debates, the scale of killings and humanitarian crisis is unprecedented and profoundly troubling.
Drawing on analyses of previous conflicts, if current high displacement rates and lack of basic services continue, Gaza could see crude mortality rates over 60 times higher than pre-war levels. This means almost a quarter of Gaza's 2 million population - up to half a million people - could die within a year, mostly from preventable causes.
WHO spokesperson Dr Margaret Harris has said that diarrhoea rates among children in refugee-like camps (sheltered housing) in Gaza were, in early November, already more than 100 times normal levels, and with no treatments available, children can become dehydrated and die quickly. Diarrhoeal diseases are the second leading cause of death in children under five worldwide, and they are caused by contaminated water sources and lack of access to oral rehydration fluids. Upper respiratory infections, chickenpox, and painful skin conditions have also increased, and there are fears that the recent floods may result in untreated sewage mixing with fresh water used for drinking and cooking, and cause a cholera outbreak.
“It seems the world has lost its moral compass.” Unicef has warned: “Lack of water, food, medicine and protection is a bigger threat than bombs to the lives of thousands in Gaza.”
Public health experts warn the worst may be yet to come, with children vulnerable to death from preventable diseases due to lack of clean water, food, sanitation, and healthcare in Gaza. Diseases like diarrhea and respiratory infections are already surging to alarming levels among displaced groups.
The Israel-Gaza conflict has set several tragic records, including the deadliest for journalists in 30 years and the largest single loss of UN staff lives. It has devastated healthcare facilities, schools, and violated international humanitarian rules by targeting hospitals and aid groups.
The conflict has also been extremely deadly for children - killing over 5,300 so far according to UNICEF, with about 160 dying per day at one point. This is far higher than recent conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
Drawing on analyses of previous conflicts, if current high displacement rates and lack of basic services continue, Gaza could see crude mortality rates over 60 times higher than pre-war levels. This means almost a quarter of Gaza's 2 million population - up to half a million people - could die within a year, mostly from preventable causes.
WHO spokesperson Dr Margaret Harris has said that diarrhoea rates among children in refugee-like camps (sheltered housing) in Gaza were, in early November, already more than 100 times normal levels, and with no treatments available, children can become dehydrated and die quickly. Diarrhoeal diseases are the second leading cause of death in children under five worldwide, and they are caused by contaminated water sources and lack of access to oral rehydration fluids. Upper respiratory infections, chickenpox, and painful skin conditions have also increased, and there are fears that the recent floods may result in untreated sewage mixing with fresh water used for drinking and cooking, and cause a cholera outbreak.
“It seems the world has lost its moral compass.” Unicef has warned: “Lack of water, food, medicine and protection is a bigger threat than bombs to the lives of thousands in Gaza.”
Public health experts warn the worst may be yet to come, with children vulnerable to death from preventable diseases due to lack of clean water, food, sanitation, and healthcare in Gaza. Diseases like diarrhea and respiratory infections are already surging to alarming levels among displaced groups.
The Israel-Gaza conflict has set several tragic records, including the deadliest for journalists in 30 years and the largest single loss of UN staff lives. It has devastated healthcare facilities, schools, and violated international humanitarian rules by targeting hospitals and aid groups.
The conflict has also been extremely deadly for children - killing over 5,300 so far according to UNICEF, with about 160 dying per day at one point. This is far higher than recent conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
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