WHO: Lack of fuel deliveries to Gaza risks disruption to critical health services

GAZA, Tuesday, July 2, 2024 (WAFA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) today voiced concern that the lack of fuel deliveries to the war-torn Gaza Strip risks disruption to critical health services.

Addressing visa video link from Jerusalem a press conference in Geneva, Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that Gaza’s healthcare sector alone requires 80,000 litres of fuel every day to function but only 195,000 to 200,000 litres last arrived at the end of June; “since then, no fuel has entered Gaza” via the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) border crossing.

She explained that the shipment had to be shared by all sectors including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) requiring 70,000 litres a day.

“As a result, hospitals are once again short on fuel, risking disruption to critical services ]and[ injured people are dying because ambulance services are facing delays due to shortage of fuel,” Balkhy said, adding that a lack of gasoline and diesel were also affecting essential water and sanitation services such as water, delivery, sewage pumping and waste collection.

Balkhy had arrived to Palestine on Sunday to follow up on the health crisis, which is critical in the Gaza Strip and escalating in the West Bank, as well as on the vital action taken by the WHO and partners to provide life-saving assistance.

Despite multiple restrictions, she is slated to have meetings with officials, partners and donors to affirm the WHO’s commitment to leading and coordinating the humanitarian health response.