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One year ago today, Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel triggered a conflict that has resulted in catastrophic suffering in Gaza. UNFPA deplores the loss of life in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank in the escalating crisis since October 7th, 2023. We continue to echo the UN Secretary-General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages by Hamas, and for the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief at scale that meets the needs of the people of Gaza. In any crisis, we are worried about all impacted people. But at UNFPA we have a particular concern for the safety and wellbeing of women and girls — because in times of conflict, and especially war, women and girls are among the most vulnerable. Their risk of experiencing violence skyrockets, they lose access to critical maternal health care, they have the least to eat, and far too often, women and girls are stripped of their basic dignity. We have been on the ground in Gaza since 1986 and from the moment that violence erupted on October 7th 2023, we were there, delivering lifesaving care.
The scale of destruction in Gaza is difficult to describe. The health care system has collapsed and just 17 out of 36 hospitals are partially functioning. 70% of the civilian infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. 90% of the population has been displaced. More than 40,000 have been killed — many of whom are women and children. The situation is especially dire for pregnant women, new mothers, and their newborns. A healthy pregnancy is no longer possible and every day is a fight for survival as hunger and malnutrition spread at a frightening speed. But thanks to gifts from supporters like you, UNFPA has supported more than half of ALL births in Gaza since October 7th by delivering:
As we reach one-year of suffering, the violence is not just contained to Gaza anymore. Hostilities have now reached the West Bank and even Lebanon and Syria, displacing many and threatening access to vital health care. To scale up our response to meet the ever-growing needs — not just in Gaza, but in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and beyond — I’m urgently calling for your support as women and girls count on international humanitarian aid for everything from maternal health care to basic hygiene supplies.
The suffering must end and peace must prevail. Thank you for not looking away from this crisis. Sincerely,
Anu Surendran |
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