Update on Gaza WHO - OCHA 03 May 2024
/
2:41
/
MP4
/
311.8 MB

Edited News | WHO , OCHA

Update on Gaza WHO - OCHA 03 May 2024

GAZA: Targeting Rafah could lead to slaughter, UN humanitarians warn
 
UN humanitarians warned on Friday that should a ground operation by the Israeli military occur in Rafah this could lead to “slaughter” in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
 
 “The hundreds of thousands of people who are there would be at imminent risk of death if there is an assault,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in a media briefing at the United Nations in Geneva. “If this happens, both what the Emergency Relief Coordinator has warned about could be a slaughter of civilians, but also at the same time an incredible blow to the humanitarian operation in the entire strip, because it is run primarily out of Rafah.”
 
Rafah is considered to be the heart of humanitarian operations in Gaza -- the transshipment point for aid arriving in the Gaza Strip via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings. It is where dozens of aid organizations store the supplies they deliver to civilians across the Gaza Strip such as food, water, health, sanitation, and hygiene items.
 
While the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are making contingency plans to ensure the health system can continue providing some care, health experts consider this to be a drop in the bucket compared to actual needs.  “This contingency plan is Band-Aids. It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation”, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative for the occupied Palestinian territory. 
 
“A military operation will lead to a new wave of displacement, more overcrowding, less access to essential food, water, sanitation, etc., and definitely more outbreaks than what we already have,” Dr. Peeperkorn said.  He added that “1.2 million, 1.5 million people, are crammed at Rafah and any operation will result in an additional humanitarian disaster on top of what it already is.” 
 
Severely malnourished children continue to be in need of treatment, despite some improvements in the flow of food aid, according to the WHO. “As of 20th April, […] you have already 46 cases of severe acute malnutrition with complications, so they have been admitted to the so-called severe acute Malnourished Stabilization Centers. So you find them at Kamal Adwan (hospital), and seven in Tal Al-Sutan, and four at the IMC (International Medical Corps) Field Hospital”, said Dr. Peeperkorn. 
 
Asked about the mass graves which have been discovered at the Nasser and the Al Shifa hospital, Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized that WHO does not have criminal investigation capacities. 
 
“We have to think about public health risks" Dr. Peeperkorn said with reference to need to deal with the mass graves. "Also, if you have at least people buried properly, in the future forensic investigations can take place. And last but not least, it's a very important thing: the families can somehow, you know, organize their good-byes.”
 
 -ends

STORY: Update on Gaza – WHO, OCHA  

TRT: 2:41”

SOURCE: UNTV CH 

RESTRICTIONS: NONE 

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS 

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9 

DATELINE: 3 May 2024 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND 

 

1.      Exterior medium shot: UN flag alley  

2.      Medium shot: speakers at the podium of the press conference 

3.     SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “1.2 million, 1.5 million people, are crammed at Rafah. And any operation will result in an additional humanitarian disaster on top of what it already is.”

4.     Wide shot: speakers at the podium filmed from behind during the press conference with journalists in the press room  

5.     SOUNDBITE (English) - Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “This contingency plan is Band-Aids. It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation. Also, of course, a military operation will lead to a new wave of displacement, more overcrowding, less access to essential food, water, sanitation, etc., and definitely more outbreaks than what we already have.”

6.     Medium shot, journalists in press room

7.     SOUNDBITE (English) - Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “We have to think about public health risks. And also, if you have at least people are buried properly that in the future forensic investigations can take place. And last but not least, it's a very important thing. The families can somehow, you know, organize their good-byes in this kind of environment.”

8.     Close up, journalist listening

9.     SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “As of 20th April, so these are the latest figures, that you have already 46 cases of severe acute malnutrition with complications. So they have been admitted to the so-called severe acute Malnourished Stabilization Centers. So you find them at Kamal Adwan (hospital), and seven in Tal Al-Sutan, and four at the IMC (International Medical Corps) Field Hospital.”

10.  Wide shot: speakers at the podium filmed from behind during the press conference with journalists in the press room  

11.  SOUNDBITE (English) – Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “Most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of people who are there would be at imminent risk of death if there is an assault. So, we are looking at, if this happens, both what the Emergency Relief Coordinator has warned about could be a slaughter of civilians, but also at the same time an incredible blow to the humanitarian operation in the entire strip, because it is run primarily out of Rafah.”

12.  Medium shot: Speakers at the podium   

13.  Wide shot: speakers at the podium filmed from behind during the press conference with journalists in the press room  

14.  Wide shot: Journalists in press room  

 


Documents 1
Download Storyline
Download

Audio Files 1
Download Update on Gaza WHO - OCHA 03 May 2024
Download

Similar Stories

Health situation in DRC - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Health situation in DRC - WHO ENG FRA

DRC faces a severe humanitarian crisis with 25M in need and rising conflict-related issues.

Gaza health clinic reopens – UNRWA

1

1

1

Edited News | UNRWA

Gaza health clinic reopens – UNRWA ENG FRA

A gimmer of good news emerged from Gaza on Tuesday as patients returned to at a newly reopened UN health centre in Khan Younis, six months after it was severely damaged and forced to close by heavy fighting, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and Danielle Bell, head of Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, on strike against hospital in Kyiv.

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and Danielle Bell, head of Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, on strike against hospital in Kyiv. ENG FRA

UN condemns attacks on Kyiv hospitals, calls for immediate action to protect civilians.

Gaza health update: WHO

1

1

2

Edited News | WHO

Gaza health update: WHO ENG FRA

In Gaza, soaring temperatures, hunger and unsanitary conditions present an ever more deadly threat to a population under constant attack, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday.

Hurricane Beryl update: OCHA, WMO, IFRC

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , WMO , IFRC

Hurricane Beryl update: OCHA, WMO, IFRC ENG FRA

Hurricane Beryl smashes into Caribbean, turns sights on Mexico As Hurricane Beryl’s destructive path shifted to Mexico on Friday after roiling the Caribbean, UN agencies and partners said that the emergency response was underway, before warning that a very long and damaging hurricane season looks increasingly likely.

UNHCR IOM MCC: Report on risks faced by refugees and migrants on the central mediterranean route

1

1

2

Edited News | IOM , mcc , UNHCR

UNHCR IOM MCC: Report on risks faced by refugees and migrants on the central mediterranean route ENG FRA

Refugees and migrants continue to face extreme forms of violence, exploitation and death on sea and on land across Africa as they attempt to leave the continent, UN agencies said on Friday, in an appeal to border authorities to do more to protect them.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Update to the 56th HRC on the human rights situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Update to the 56th HRC on the human rights situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk at the 56th Human Rigths Council, made the following update on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Gaza: new evacuation orders - UNRWA, WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | UNRWA , WHO

Gaza: new evacuation orders - UNRWA, WHO ENG FRA

New evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army for areas in southern Gaza are expected to impact 250,000 people, including eastern Khan Younis and Rafah, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

Gaza humanitarian update: UNRWA - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | UNRWA , WHO

Gaza humanitarian update: UNRWA - WHO ENG FRA

Gaza: People are desperate, they need everything, says UN aid agency Panic and desperation now grip ordinary Gazans struggling to survive, UN humanitarians said on Friday, amid fuel shortages of fuel and dwindling supplies that have prevented aid teams from doing their job.

UN Emergency Relief Chief interview

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA

UN Emergency Relief Chief interview ENG FRA

UN aid teams and partner organizations remain deeply committed to delivering lifesaving supplies into Gaza, despite the increasing dangers of working there, the Organization’s top aid official said on Wednesday.

UNRWA Press conference: Update on the Occupied Palestinian Territory - 25 June 2024

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | UNRWA

UNRWA Press conference: Update on the Occupied Palestinian Territory - 25 June 2024 ENG FRA

Every day in Gaza 10 children lose one or both legs, says top UN aid official There’s been no let-up in the terrible human cost of the war in Gaza where 10 children lose one or both legs every day, amid ongoing Israeli bombardment and renewed fears of famine, a top UN aid official said on Tuesday.

Gaza aid worker testimony - OCHA - 25 June 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA

Gaza aid worker testimony - OCHA - 25 June 2024 ENG FRA

A UN humanitarian freshly back from Gaza described on Tuesday seeing families dig makeshift septic tanks with spoons and shell-shocked toddlers who lost limbs under Israeli bombing, amid continuing obstacles to aid delivery.