UNICEF’s Post
UNICEF is deeply saddened by the preventable tragic death of Ata Mai, a seven-year-old boy, who drowned on 27 December during severe flooding in an improvised camp for internally displaced people in Sudaniyeh, northwest of Gaza City, the most recent child in Gaza to die due to the extreme winter conditions and lack of safe shelters. At least five other children have lost their lives in December after being exposed to such harsh conditions.
This tragedy underscores the extreme vulnerability of children in Gaza’s hardest-hit areas, where the near-total destruction of homes and water and sewage infrastructure has left families exposed to the elements. This week’s heavy rainfall, strong winds and freezing temperatures have affected around 100,000 families living in makeshift shelters with little or no protection, and with further rain and colder conditions forecast, the situation is expected to worsen. As part of its emergency winterization response, UNICEF, alongside UN partners, has been providing critical support to thousands of affected families. This includes installing temporary water pipelines, distributing hygiene items, tarpaulins, blankets, and dignity kits, and ensuring access to latrines. Teams are also working to clean and reopen sewage pipelines, clear stormwater inlets, and protect tents from flooding. Children in Gaza have endured enough and have the right to protection and safe shelter; all efforts must prioritize meeting this essential need. Full statement by Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa: https://lnkd.in/eqvQ7YQf
What a tragedy
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