New York (United Nations) – The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has highlighted the dire situation of children in Gaza, stating that they are being killed, starved, and left to freeze to death. Fletcher called for an urgent expansion of the international humanitarian response across the entire Gaza Strip.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting focused on the Middle East, including the Palestinian cause and the conditions of children in Gaza, Fletcher emphasized the devastating impact of the ongoing crisis.
Education, Health, and Mental Well-Being in Peril
Fletcher noted that children in Gaza have lost access to education as schools have been destroyed or disrupted. Those with chronic illnesses have struggled to access the care they urgently need, with many unable to receive treatment.
He further cited UNICEF reports indicating that nearly one million children in Gaza are in desperate need of psychological and social support to address depression and anxiety. “An entire generation is traumatized,” Fletcher stated, underscoring the mental health toll on young Palestinians.
Opportunities Amid the Ceasefire
Amid this suffering, Fletcher highlighted that the recent ceasefire has offered a critical opportunity to scale up humanitarian efforts in Gaza. He praised the improved access for relief agencies in recent days, which has significantly enhanced their ability to deliver aid.
However, Fletcher stressed that sustained and unhindered humanitarian access is essential to address the extensive needs of Gaza’s population, particularly its children.
The crisis in Gaza remains a global moral and humanitarian challenge. The international community is called upon to act urgently to provide relief, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure long-term solutions for the region’s suffering children.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
