In Gaza, humanitarian access is denied under relentless bombardment and looming polio threat

Amjad Fayomi

RAMALLAH (August 13, 2024) - NGOs working in and on Gaza have yet again highlighted the crippling obstruction of access for aid, outlining restrictions, delays, and deplorable aid delivery conditions experienced during the last two weeks in their latest humanitarian snapshot report.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and other leading humanitarian agencies outline how new "evacuation orders" and relentless airstrikes have forced the displacement of over 200,000 Palestinians since mid-July, many of whom had already been displaced multiple times. Israel's ongoing blockade has only tightened, leaving aid convoys stranded and essential supplies inaccessible to the millions in need.

Access for aid to enter and be safely delivered throughout Gaza is ever more urgent, with the imminent threat of a polio outbreak since recent wastewater samples have indicated the presence of the virus. Children under five are particularly vulnerable, including an estimated 50,000 babies born since the beginning of this war who have yet to receive any vaccinations at all. The WHO-led immunization drive, set to begin on August 23, is in jeopardy due to the ongoing violence and severe restrictions on humanitarian access. The continued denial of adequate access for humanitarian organizations is exacerbating this public health emergency, with no clear mechanism for evacuation or delivery of medical supplies.

NGOs operating in Gaza face unprecedented challenges, as access to vital resources and supplies is blocked, and staff are put at risk by bombardment and attacks in so-called 'humanitarian zones.' Despite these obstacles, aid workers, mostly Palestinian staff from Gaza, continue to heroically strive to deliver assistance, but the scale of the crisis is overwhelming. Reports indicate severe delays in the delivery of critical supplies, with warehouses destroyed, and transportation routes rendered unsafe due to ongoing hostilities. These challenges underscore the urgent need for international intervention to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered effectively.

Without immediate action, the potential spread of polio and other preventable diseases will further compound the suffering of Gaza's civilian population. The international community must urgently demand a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access, and impose a humanitarian arms embargo to ensure that vital medical supplies, including vaccines, can reach those in need. A ceasefire is not just a temporary reprieve from the violence; it is essential for preventing a catastrophic health crisis in Gaza that could quickly spread across the region.

The blockade and ongoing violence are not just hindering the delivery of aid-they are creating the conditions for a potential public health disaster that will have long-lasting consequences.

###

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.