Gaza continues to be the deadliest place for civilians in the world with more than 38,245 Palestinians killed and 88,295 injured after nine months of military onslaught including heavy bombardment and shelling. More than 10,000 are still missing under rubble and presumed dead and 1.9 million people are displaced. It is estimated that 120 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, including fatalities whose bodies are withheld. Only 12 hospitals in Gaza are even partially functioning and none are fully functional. With poor health conditions and lack of medical services, communicable diseases are on the rise in Gaza, including acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, scabies and lice, chickenpox, and jaundice. Food insecurity is affecting 2.1 million people in Gaza or 96% of the population. As a result, 1 in 3 children under age three in northern Gaza are now malnourished, leaving them significantly more vulnerable to communicable diseases and related health challenges.
In the West Bank, over 519,000 people have been affected by increased settler violence, forced evictions, and other violations of international law. Road closures, checkpoints, prevention of free movement, loss of trade, and unpaid salaries to public workers have decimated the economy and livelihoods.
With local and international partners, the IRC is implementing basic needs, health, early childhood development, nutrition, WASH, and protection programming in Gaza. In the West Bank, the IRC’s partners are providing psychosocial and recreational activities to children, protection programming, and with a health partner working on emergency preparedness. The IRC is also focusing on economic recovery and development to address the acute economic and livelihoods needs.
In the months to come, the IRC will continue to leverage the breadth of our experience delivering integrated, evidence-based humanitarian services. We remain committed to meeting the health, protection, early childhood development, and basic needs of people in Gaza and the West Bank. We will also continue working to strengthen the capacity of our local partners to expand the impact and scale of our programs.
Thank you for your generosity. Your gift allows us to deliver comprehensive help to people affected by humanitarian crises around the world. This gift will be used where and when most needed.
