Gaza’s children deserve better says UNICEF MENA Director

4th May 2018

 Statement attributable to Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa

 DUBLIN / AMMAN, 4 May 2018“Over the past five weeks, five children were killed and hundreds were injured in largely peaceful protests in Gaza.

“Power cuts and shortages of fuel, medicine and equipment are straining an already fragile health system and complicating access to treatment for the injured.

“In addition to physical injuries, children are showing signs of severe distress and trauma.

“Yesterday, our UNICEF Special Representative visited a 14-year-old boy who suffered a gunshot wound, causing a severe injury close to his heart. He is now home recovering after being in hospital for two weeks. It is hard for him to be optimistic through the pain, but when he gets better, he wants to be a doctor, like the ones who helped him survive.

“The escalating violence in Gaza has exacerbated the suffering of children whose lives have already been unbearably difficult for several years. Half of all children depend on humanitarian assistance, and one in four needs psychosocial care.

“Schools are overcrowded and operating on triple shifts, limiting children’s learning prospects.

“The minimal power supply in Gaza has disrupted water and sanitation services, severely reducing the availability of drinking water – nine out of 10 families do not have regular access to safe water.

“UNICEF continues its lifesaving assistance for children in health, water, sanitation, hygiene, education and protection.

“UNICEF renews its calls for all those with influence to protect children and keep them out of harm’s way. Children belong in schools, homes and playgrounds – they should never be targeted or encouraged to participate in violence.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, to build a better world for everyone. For more, visit www.unicef.ie

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For more information, please contact:

Aedín Donnelly, Communications and Media Manager for UNICEF Ireland | aedin@unicef.ie | Tel: +353 1 809 0281 | Mob: +353 85 1395272

Juliette Touma, UNICEF Regional Office, Amman, Jordan | + 962-79-867-4628 | jtouma@unicef.org

Tamara Kummer, UNICEF MENA Regional Office/State of Palestine | +972 5477 87 625 | +962 797 588 550 | tkummer@unicef.org

 

Photo above: Mohammad and Obeida, walk on a edge of a sewage-filled street in Al Saftawi, a disadvantaged area near Gaza City, Gaza Strip, State of Palestine, Tuesday 4 April 2017. © UNICEF/UN068306/El Baba
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