UNRWA: The number of trucks entering Gaza is still very small and the situation is catastrophic

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, said:The number of trucks entering Gaza remains well below the target of 500 trucks per day, with significant difficulties getting supplies in through both Kerem Shalom and Rafah.

The Food Security Cluster reported that stable food supplies to serve the entire population remain hampered by frequent border closures.

According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, since the beginning of 2024

As of 12 February, 51% of the missions planned by UNRWA and humanitarian partners to deliver aid and conduct assessments to areas north of the Gaza Valley had been denied access by the Israeli authorities. 

According to the Food Security Cluster, food insecurity in the northern Gaza Valley has reached a very critical state, given the significant restrictions imposed on the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The consequences of the donor freeze on funding will not only impact our ability to respond to the massive humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip, but will also have an impact on our operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, where we have hundreds of thousands of students in our schools and where the Agency provides health care. Primary for two million Palestinian refugees.

“For many of them, UNRWA is their only lifeline.” 

“Philippe Lazzarini concluded his statements by saying: The consequences of donors freezing funding will not only affect our ability to respond to the huge humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip, but it will also have an impact on our operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, where we have hundreds of thousands of students.” In our schools and where the Agency provides primary health care to two million Palestine refugees.