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The Gaza Strip: as phase one of lifesaving ceasefire draws to an end, UNRWA reaches 2 million people in Gaza with relief and assistance
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UNRWA
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GAZA CITY,

Since the ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip on 19 January, UNRWA has made unparalleled progress in providing humanitarian assistance to people in need there. The Agency’s teams, the backbone of the humanitarian operation in Gaza, have continued to work around the clock to deliver aid and provide services to a population overwhelmed by 15 months of constant bombardment, forced displacement, and lack of critical supplies. 
Speaking from an UNRWA health centre in southern Gaza, Sam Rose, UNRWA acting Director of Gaza Affairs, said, “This reflects UNRWA’s commitment to supporting families in Gaza through this unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Despite every political and logistical challenge to the Agency, UNRWA remains resolute in its mission to provide essential services to families who need them now more than ever.”

In a significant milestone, and in close coordination with other humanitarian partners, UNRWA has now provided food assistance to 2 million people, or over 90 per cent of the population, helping to slightly improve food security. In health, UNRWA restored access to services to nearly 180,000 people in Khan Younis, Rafah and Gaza City through re-opening of health centres.

In addition, our team reached more than half a million people with blankets, mattresses, floor mats, clothes, cooking equipment, and tarpaulins to protect from the rain. To support people with shelter, UNRWA has provided around 64,000 people with tents. This comes amid reports that six newborns have died from the cold weather in the Gaza Strip over the past 72 hours.  

The Agency urges continued global solidarity so that the people of Gaza receive the support they need to rebuild their lives. “For the first time since the war began, UNRWA has been able to deliver aid and services at scale, reducing the suffering of 2 million people. The ceasefire must hold for all humanitarian agencies to continue these efforts. UNRWA must be supported to continue its work across the Gaza Strip” Rose concluded.

 

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Notes to Editors

Additional information on UNRWA response by sector across the Gaza Strip:

  • In the past month, UNRWA health teams have provided over 364,000 health consultations, antenatal, post-natal and family planning care for more than 24,000 women, dental and oral health services in fixed and mobile clinics reaching over 15,000 patients, and physiotherapy rehabilitation services for over 6,500 patients.
  • Over 1,700 UNRWA team members have participated in the ongoing polio campaign, vaccinating an estimated 200,000 children under the age of 10.
  • UNRWA provided clean water and solid waste services to half a million people, through repairs to wells and boreholes across the Gaza Strip, and collection of waste in and around 120 temporary shelters and from over 60 Agency medical points and health centres.
  • Thousands of humanitarian trucks – including over 2,100 UNRWA trucks – carrying essential food supplies, shelter items, and medicines have crossed into the Gaza Strip since the start of the ceasefire enabling a significant expansion of the humanitarian response.
  • UNRWA distributed hygiene and sanitary items to over half a million people since the ceasefire, primarily for women, children and the elderly.
  • UNRWA has been the largest distributor of children’s winter clothing since the ceasefire.
  • UNRWA opened 37 new shelters in Gaza City and North Gaza since the ceasefire, and where classrooms have been vacated in schools in other areas, these are being turned into temporary learning spaces for children.  
  • In the first days of the ceasefire, UNRWA teams tracked movements across the Netzarim corridor and provided support to vulnerable families on their journey.
  • UNRWA has upscaled explosive ordnance risk education, as unexploded ordnance is considered the biggest risk to children right now.
  • UNRWA continues to provide cash assistance to caretakers of unaccompanied and separated children.
  • Since January, nearly 260,000 children have enrolled in the UNRWA-run distance learning programme and received basic learning activities delivered by thousands of teachers covering Arabic, English, mathematics, and science.