Update on Gaza WHO - OCHA 03 May 2024
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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


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