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

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 Expired

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

Similar Stories

Iran, Lebanon aid update – WHO, IFRC, UNHCR, UN Women, UNICEF, IFRC

1

1

1

Edited News | IFRC , UN WOMEN , UNHCR , UNICEF , WHO

Iran, Lebanon aid update – WHO, IFRC, UNHCR, UN Women, UNICEF, IFRC ENG FRA

Middle East war causes civilian terror and disrupts aid, but some relief efforts resume.

Statement by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk to the UN Human Rights Council’s Urgent debate on the Minab school strike in Iran

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Statement by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk to the UN Human Rights Council’s Urgent debate on the Minab school strike in Iran ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk addressed the Human Rights Council, delivering a video statement on the strike that hit a girls school in Minab, Iran recently, calling for accountability and protection of children.  

Haiti UN Human Rights report on impact of the expanding reach of gangs

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

Haiti UN Human Rights report on impact of the expanding reach of gangs ENG FRA

A new UN Human Rights report published on Tuesday details the human rights impacts of the expanding reach of gangs in Haiti. According to data verified by the Office, at least 5,519 people were killed in Haiti, and 2,608 were injured between 1 March 2025 and 15 January 2026. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Martha Hurtado briefing on drone attacks in Sudan

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Martha Hurtado briefing on drone attacks in Sudan ENG FRA

UN Human Rights spokesperson Marta Hurtado on Tuesday described the deadly impact of drone strikes in Sudan.

Sudan hospital attack - WHO, OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR

Sudan hospital attack - WHO, OHCHR ENG FRA

Sudan: Hospital strike highlights surge in drone attacks on civilians

The death toll from a horrific attack on a hospital in Sudan’s Darfur has risen further, amid a “sharp increase” in drone attacks against civilians this year, UN agencies said on Tuesday.

Strait of Hormuz crisis - UNCTAD

1

1

1

Edited News | UNCTAD

Strait of Hormuz crisis - UNCTAD ENG FRA

Middle East conflict impacts global trade, raising oil and commodity prices due to disruptions.

WMO Press conference: State of the Global Climate 2025 report

3

1

3

Press Conferences , Edited News | WMO

WMO Press conference: State of the Global Climate 2025 report ENG FRA

WMO State of the Global Climate 2025 report - UNDER EMBARGO 0400 GMT (0500 CET) Monday, 23 March 2026

UN weather agency warns of record ‘climate imbalance’ as planetary warming accelerates

All-time high greenhouse gas concentrations in our planet’s atmosphere continue to drive heat records on land and sea, with long-lasting consequences for humanity, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned.

 

UN report Israel’s settlement expansion drives mass displacement in West Bank

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN report Israel’s settlement expansion drives mass displacement in West Bank ENG FRA

A UN Human Rights Office report released today on Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on deadly blast at Kabul rehab centre

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on deadly blast at Kabul rehab centre ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan made the following remarks on Tuesday concerning the deadly blast at a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul:

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on impact of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on impact of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan made the following remarks on the impact of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.

Middle East war humanitarian fallout WFP - UN OCHA - OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , OHCHR , WFP

Middle East war humanitarian fallout WFP - UN OCHA - OHCHR ENG FRA

Middle East war may deepen global hunger; mass displacement, rights violations on the rise

The Middle East war could cause the worst disruption to humanitarian work since COVID, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.

HRC 61 - Human Rights in Iran - 16 March 2026

2

1

2

Statements , Conferences , Edited News | HRC

HRC 61 - Human Rights in Iran - 16 March 2026 ENG FRA

The UN’s top human rights forum gathered in Geneva on Monday, where Member States highlighted the growing civilian toll of war in the Middle East, sparked by Israeli and U.S. bombing of Iran, counter-strikes by Tehran against Gulf states and Israeli shelling of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in response to attacks by the armed group.