UNRWA, charged with ensuring education, health and other essential services in Gaza, the West Bank, and other neighboring nations, is reeling under the weight of relentless Israeli attacks as “pressures on the agency today are greater than ever,” added the headline during a meeting in this city.
According to Lazzarini, the entity risks collapsing due to lack of financing amid constant threats against its facilities, 180 of which have already been damaged or destroyed since October 7.
At least 500 people have died since then while seeking protection under the UN flag and another 193 UNRWA members have also been killed in the conflict.
«Our convoys have been attacked despite the coordinated movement with the Israeli authorities in the West Bank; “The operational space is shrinking,” he warned.
The head of UNRWA described Gaza as a living hell for more than two million people, for which he asked for support to maintain the work of what is considered the main humanitarian actor in the Strip.
Children continue to die of malnutrition and dehydration, while food and drinking water wait in trucks outside the enclave.
According to the high representative, more than 625 thousand young people live in Gaza, deeply traumatized among the rubble and without access to education.
“About 300,000 of them were enrolled in almost 290 UNRWA schools before the war, but those who now do not go to school are at risk of violence and exploitation, child labor, early marriage and recruitment by armed groups,” he insisted.
The commissioner general demanded decisive intervention to resume education, otherwise, he added, “we will condemn an entire generation to poverty and sow the seeds of hatred, resentment and future conflicts.”
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