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Hope is fleeting as the people of Gaza continue to endure unimaginable suffering.
1.9 million people have been displaced, often repeatedly, forced into tents, overcrowded shelters, or even on the streets, lacking the most basic necessities for dignified life and survival. They have been nearly entirely deprived of the means and resources necessary for food security, shelter, health, and livelihood. “Imagine being a pregnant woman in Gaza,” implored UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “What should be a time of joy and anticipation is overshadowed by death, destruction, and despair. If her baby is delivered safely, she wonders how she will keep her newborn warm, fed, alive? Traumatized, dehydrated, and malnourished, many pregnant and breastfeeding women, who have higher daily water and calorie requirements, face the looming threat of famine without even the basics for survival.” In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, UNFPA has not stopped delivering lifesaving care to pregnant women in Gaza through sexual and reproductive health services since conflict erupted. Emergency gifts from UNFPA supporters have helped train 53 new midwives, distribute menstrual pads to 5,550 women and girls and over 134,000 Dignity and Reproductive Health Kits, deploy a mobile maternal health clinic, and supply critical medicines and anesthesia. We understand there is so much going on in the U.S. news right now. But, with no end to the suffering in sight, we must not look away from the pregnant women, newborns, and everyone enduring the crisis in Gaza.
We condemn the violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel, and echo the UN Secretary-General’s call for a sustained humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas. The suffering must end and peace must prevail. Thank you for being there for women and girls. — USA for UNFPA |
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