“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was dire even before the recent escalation of violence. Now, it has reached a catastrophic level. The international community must take urgent and decisive action,” stated the organizations involved.

This urgent statement was released by prominent humanitarian entities including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Urgent Humanitarian Aid: A Limited First Shipment

A humanitarian convoy successfully crossed into Gaza on Saturday morning through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt—marking the first such delivery since hostilities escalated two weeks ago. This convoy was not just a logistical feat; it represented a crucial step towards alleviating the suffering of countless civilians.

The convoy, consisting of 20 vehicles, transported essential supplies from the UN and the Egyptian Red Crescent, including canned tuna, tomato paste, pasta, drinking water, and medical supplies. Notably, hundreds more trucks are currently awaiting clearance at the border to deliver additional assistance.

This initial shipment, while a necessary lifeline for many, is described as “first, but limited.” It is aimed at providing “an urgently needed lifeline to some of the hundreds of thousands of civilians, predominantly women and children, who have been deprived of access to water, food, medicine, fuel, and other basic necessities,” as emphasized by the involved UN agencies. However, they caution that this effort is merely a small beginning and woefully insufficient to meet the escalating needs.

Humanitarian Needs Escalate Amid Ongoing Conflict

The statement from these organizations underscored the overwhelming humanitarian needs arising from the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, which reignited on October 7 after Hamas militants launched deadly attacks in Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and the capture of over 100 hostages.

In response, Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes and bombardment, effectively laying siege to Gaza and ordering civilians to evacuate from the northern regions of the enclave. This has created a dire situation for over 1.6 million individuals in Gaza, who are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Alarmingly, children, who constitute nearly half of the population, along with pregnant women and the elderly, are among the most vulnerable groups.

The continued bombardment over the past two weeks has devastated much of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including shelters, health facilities, water supply systems, sanitation services, and electrical grids. The agencies have expressed grave concerns that “time is running out before mortality rates could surge due to disease outbreaks and the collapse of healthcare capacity.”

Critical Health Crisis: Children at Risk

Gaza’s hospitals are currently “overwhelmed with casualties,” and people are facing escalating difficulties in accessing essential food supplies. Health facilities are running critically low on fuel, operating on dwindling reserves that are expected to be exhausted within days. Simultaneously, water production capacity has plummeted to just 5 percent of normal levels, leading to a widespread crisis.

“Humanitarian resources that were pre-positioned have already been depleted. The most vulnerable populations are at extreme risk, with children facing alarming death rates and being systematically denied their rights to protection, food, water, and healthcare,” the agencies highlighted.

Before the conflict erupted, nearly one-third of the Palestinian population was already experiencing food insecurity. Today, shops are running low on stock, bakeries are shutting down, and tens of thousands of individuals have been displaced, rendering them unable to cook or safely purchase food.

Call for Action: Save Lives and Alleviate Suffering

The UN agencies have issued an urgent call for a humanitarian ceasefire, along with immediate and unrestricted access for humanitarian workers throughout Gaza to reach civilians in desperate need. This is essential to save lives and alleviate further human suffering.

They have appealed for safe and sustained access to water, food, and healthcare—including sexual and reproductive health services—as well as fuel supplies. Additionally, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, particularly health facilities, is paramount.

“We emphasize the need for the protection of humanitarian workers in Gaza who are bravely risking their lives to serve others,” they added. “We also urge all parties involved to fully respect international humanitarian law.”