UNICEF warning on Gaza

Catherine Russell, executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), made statements yesterday about the situation in Gaza.

UNICEF Executive Director Russell emphasized that an average of 420 children are killed or injured in Gaza every day and said: “Three weeks in, the devastating numbers are rising rapidly, with grave and widespread violations committed against children. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 8,300 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including more than 3,400 children, and more than 6,300 children were injured. This means that more than 420 children are killed or injured every day in Gaza, a figure that should shock us all deeply. Civilian infrastructure was also subject to violent attacks. At least 221 schools and more than 177,000 residences were damaged or destroyed. The lack of clean water and safe sanitation is about to become a disaster. “Unless access to clean water is urgently provided, more civilians will become ill or die from dehydration or waterborne diseases,” he said.

CHILDREN ON BOTH SIDES SUFFER TRAUMA

Russell stated that both Israeli and Palestinian children were traumatized by the attacks and that these traumas could last a lifetime.

“As if that weren’t enough, children in both Israel and Palestine are experiencing horrific trauma that can have lifelong consequences,” Russell said. Research has shown that violence and chaos can cause toxic stress in children, hindering their physical and cognitive development and leading to both short- and long-term mental health problems. We are doing everything we can to reach all children in need, but delivering humanitarian aid is currently extremely difficult, especially in Gaza. “The reason for this is both the current siege conditions imposed on Gaza and the extremely dangerous conditions our staff are in,” she said.

WE INVITE THE WORLD TO DO BETTER

At the end of his speech, Russell addressed the entire world, calling for improvement and emphasizing that all children deserve peace.

“UNICEF rose from the ashes of World War II almost 77 years ago,” Russell said. Our commitment to our mission has never wavered; We defend the rights of every child. We call on the world to do better on behalf of all the children trapped in this nightmare. Whether they are young people attending a music festival or children living their daily lives in Gaza, everyone deserves peace. Children do not start conflicts and have no power to stop them. “They need all of us,” he said.