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Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Work Agency, is urging the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation “to firmly and unconditionally support the humanitarian efforts to safeguard civilians in Gaza.”
“An unprecedented catastrophe is unfolding” in Gaza, Lazzarini said in a statement on Wednesday.
Thousands of civilians have been killed, including women and children, and at least 1 million people have been forced from their homes yet remain trapped in Gaza as food, water and medicine supplies dwindle.
“Not one shipment of aid has been allowed into the Gaza Strip since the start of this conflict due to the full siege imposed,” he said.
Lazzarini asked for an immediate end to attacks “targeting civilians and civilian objects, including UN and humanitarian personnel and premises.”
He said the delivery of the urgent aid that’s needed “can be achieved through an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow without further delay, unimpeded and safe access to humanitarian assistance.”
He continued, “UNRWA must receive adequate resources. The Agency is short of US$ 100 million for its core budget for this year. … Additionally, UNRWA has issued a Flash Appeal of US$ 104 million for its immediate emergency response to more than a million displaced and vulnerable Palestine Refugees. This appeal will most likely soon be revised upwards.”
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