November 16, 2023
2 mins read

Record Numbers Overwhelm UNRWA Shelters in Gaza

A UNRWA report has said that over 1.6 million people in Gaza have become internally displaced…reports Asian Lite News

 The shelters managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in central and southern Gaza are severely overcrowded with a record-high number of displaced persons.

A UNRWA report has said that over 1.6 million people in Gaza have become internally displaced, including approximately 813,000 taking shelter in 154 UNRWA installations, Xinhua news agency reported.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted in its Wednesday report that the UNRWA shelters are accommodating far more people than their capacity allows, leading to the spread of diseases, including acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea, raising environmental and health concerns.

The overcrowding is also affecting the agency’s ability to provide effective and timely services, according to the OCHA.

Fuel Depletion Hits Gaza Hard

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has announced the suspension of dozens of drinking water and sewage facilities in the central and southern Gaza Strip due to fuel depletion.

Thomas White, UNRWA’s operations director in Gaza, said on Thursday in a post on social media platform X that 76 water wells in the three southern provinces of the Strip, along with two main drinking water stations and 15 sewage pumping stations, have stopped functioning due to fuel shortages.

Sewage was flowing on roads and streets of Rafah city as sewage pumps were out of service due to the depletion of fuel, he said, adding drinking water scarcity could also potentially lead to a 40 per cent increase in diarrheal and infectious diseases among displaced people in UNRWA shelters, Xinhua news agency reported.

Gaza has been under nearly a complete Israeli siege since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, with the suspended inflow of essential goods and fuel plunging locals into a humanitarian crisis.

IDF Achieves Major Progress in Gaza Strip

Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has made significant advancement in the Gaza Strip and has conquered the western part of the enclave.

He said that all threats related to Hamas have been eliminated in the western part of Gaza.

Gallant, a retired General of the IDF, was speaking to soldiers during his visit to the 36th Armoured Division of the IDF.

He said that the Israeli military has got specific and significant details regarding the misuse of Al-Shifa hospital during its raids there.

It may be noted that IDF has entered the Al-Shifa hospital and has reportedly neutralised five Hamas men who had fired at the advancing troops from inside the hospital premises.

The IDF said that some laptops that they could get hold of from inside the hospital had revealed the presence of Israeli hostages.

ALSO READ-‘Israel Aims to Demilitarize and Deradicalize Gaza, Not Occupy’

Previous Story

Trump’s Gag Order Temporarily Lifted in Fraud Trial

Next Story

Biden Chairs 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting

Latest from -Top News

Relief for Students: US Visa Cancellations Paused

More than 1,500 student visas have been cancelled so far…reports Asian Lite News The United States on Friday abruptly paused the cancellation of student visas issued to international students, according to reports.

Yunus Must Be Treated Like Hasina, Warn Islamists

Islamist group made these warnings to the interim government, terming the women’s reform body proposals as “anti-Islamic…reports Asian Lite News The radical Islamist group in Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, has issued a threat, stating

UN: Bring Pahalgam Terrorists to Justice

The members of the Security Council “stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable..reports Asian Lite News The Security Council has “condemned in the strongest terms” the Pahalgam terrorist

Vatican Hosts Final Rites for Pope Francis

The Argentine-born pontiff, the first from Latin America, died less than a month after returning home from a prolonged five-week hospitalisation for double pneumonia….reports Asian Lite News In an outpouring of global
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UAE President, World Central Kitchen CEO discuss boosting Gaza aid

Gore noted her appreciation for the efforts of His Highness

US cancels $400m in grants, contracts to Columbia University

The Trump administration declined to specify the grants and contracts