Statement by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

(New York, 11 April 2024) Yesterday, I met with the Principals of WFP, UNICEF and WHO, as well as with the Special Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator, the DSC/RC/HC a.i. and UNRWA.

The UN welcomes all efforts to increase the amount and type of aid delivered for the people of Gaza, whether by air, sea or, most importantly, land. 

An assessment was conducted by a UN team in Khan Younis yesterday following the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The team reported widespread destruction: Every building they visited – and most of those they observed – had been damaged, and paved roads had been reduced to dirt tracks. They inspected a UN warehouse, four medical centres, and eight schools, and all but one had significant damage.

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The OCHA oPt Flash Update is published three times a week, with an update on the West Bank included once a week. The next update will be issued on 15 April. 

The OCHA oPt Flash Update is published three times a week, with an update on the West Bank included once a week. The next update will be issued on 17 April. 

The OCHA oPt Flash Update is published three times a week, with an update on the West Bank included once a week. The next update will be issued on 19 April.

The OPT Flash Appeal calls for US $2.822 billion for UN Agencies, INGO, and NGO partners to address the most urgent and critical needs of three million people in the Gaza Strip (Gaza) and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, covering a 9-month period from April through December 2024.

This represents only part of the US $4.089 billion that the UN and partners estimate is required to support the basic needs of 3.3 million people. It reflects an effort to be realistic about what will be implementable given the current operating context.

New York, 18 April 2024 

[as delivered]

Mr. President, Excellencies,

The Middle East is on a precipice.

Recent days have seen a perilous escalation – in words and deeds. 

One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable – a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved – and for the rest of the world.

This moment of maximum peril must be a time for maximum restraint.