UN launches $1.2bn urgent appeal to aid Gaza, West Bank residents

The United Nations, today, launched an urgent appeal for emergency aid, aiming to secure $1.2 billion in funding to assist approximately 2.7 million people in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank.

“The cost of meeting the needs of 2.7 million people – that is the entire population of Gaza and 500,000 people in the Occupied West Bank – is estimated to be $1.2 billion,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

“The original appeal, launched 12 October, asked for $294 million to support nearly 1.3 million people. The situation has grown increasingly desperate since then,” it added.

Moreover, it stated that the appeal will emphasise the need for essentials such as food, water, healthcare, housing, hygiene and other critical needs in the aftermath of the extensive bombardments in the Gaza Strip.

It further emphasised that the alleviation of the Palestinian population’s suffering relies on securing adequate funding, ensuring safe and consistent access to all individuals in need, maintaining a steady flow of humanitarian supplies and, notably, a sufficient supply of fuel.

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It comes after the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees described the “tragedy” in the Gaza Strip as “unprecedented” following his visit to the Palestinian Territory.

He said, “The levels of distress and the unsanitary living conditions were beyond comprehension. Everyone was just asking for water and food. Instead of being at school, learning, children were asking for a sip of water and a piece of bread. It was heart-wrenching. Above all, people were asking for a ceasefire. They want this tragedy to end.” This, he added, was one of the saddest days in his humanitarian work.

The UNRWA chief also pointed out that the current humanitarian response is, by far, not enough, nor does it match the huge needs of people in Gaza.

Israel has dropped more than 25,000 tonnes of explosives on the besieged Gaza Strip since the start of its large-scale bombardment on 7 October, equivalent to two nuclear bombs, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a press release issued Thursday.

Nearly 10,600 people have been killed in the conflict, including 9,061 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

Basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million residents in Gaza due to the Israeli siege, in addition to the large number of casualties and displacements.

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