Humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens as UN pleads for urgent aid

An UNRWA aid worker distributes flour bags to Palestinians during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 29, 2023 [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening because of restricted access to essential supplies, according to the United Nations. UN Aid Coordination Officer Olga Cherevko reported on Wednesday that incoming aid volumes are severely limited and are failing to meet the needs of the population.

Cherevko, speaking from Khan Younis, said that Israel has allowed only approximately 6,000 tonnes of wheat flour into Gaza since lifting a previous blockade. However, UN estimates indicate at least 10,000 tonnes are needed to address rising malnutrition.

She told UN News that her team is facing the critical issue of expanded crossings and unfettered aid delivery, which must include not only food but also fuel, medical supplies, shelter materials, and cooking gas — essentials required to sustain life.

“People in Gaza are at risk of famine,” Cherevko warned, calling for safe, efficient aid access and significantly larger quantities.

 

OCHA reports over 2,700 children under five fell into acute malnutrition in late May, while health and sanitation services continue to deteriorate. Critical infrastructure is collapsing: only 38% of healthcare facilities remain partially functional, and shelter support for displaced people is virtually nonexistent.

Rising insecurity and restricted movement further complicate aid distribution. UN officials say bureaucratic delays, conflict-imposed restrictions, and the militarisation of aid channels obstruct relief efforts and endanger civilian lives.

Why does it matter, you might ask? It’s because weeks of restricted access have reversed progress made earlier in the year, leaving Gaza’s civilian population in dire need of immediate support. With hospitals running out of power and clean water inaccessible to most residents, the consequences of delay could be catastrophic.