Stanisland Magazine

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expresses concern over the Gaza crisis and launches a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal.

UN, 6th Nov 2023: Following the incessant bombing of the Gaza Strip, UN Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has expressed his concern that the region is becoming A “graveyard for children” following the reports of more than 10,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes. More than 4,000 are children, a sum that has eclipsed the number of children in wars worldwide since 2019.

In a speech at the UN headquarters, he said: “Hundreds of girls and boys are reportedly being killed or injured every day.” and that “More United Nations aid workers have been killed than in any comparable period in the history of our organization.” The figures are unprecedented and showcase the sheer scale of the air strikes on the most densely populated area in the world. The Gaza Strip is home to more than 2 million people, half of which are children, with many now orphaned.

He continued, reiterating his “condemnation of the abhorrent acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas.”

UN aid for Palestinians

Guterres has pledged “Today, the United Nations and our partners are launching a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal” to help the people of Palestine, which includes both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

However, he insisted on the urgent need “for a humanitarian ceasefire” in order to complete the delivery of aid in a place that is void of drinking water and extensive food sources due to the Israeli blockade on the region, which has also cut power, which has led to the exhaustion of essential infrastructure. At this point in time, little aid is reaching Gaza, and he commented that it is but a “trickle” of what is needed.

Ceasefire needed, say humanitarians

Over 23,000 injured people are in dire need of medical care, and hospitals have become overwhelmed by the constant deaths and injuries inflicted by Israeli bombings.

An entire population remains under siege, cut off from essential resources, and enduring relentless attacks on homes, shelters, hospitals, and places of worship. More than 100 attacks on healthcare facilities have been reported, underscoring the urgency of international intervention.

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. In a joint statement, signatories from a broad pool of non-governmental organisations called for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”, and that it has been “30 days. Enough is enough. This must stop now.”

Those who signed the statement include agencies such as UNICEF, Interaction, UNHCR and Save the Children.