GENEVA, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The heads of six United Nations (UN) agencies issued a joint statement on Monday, calling on the international community to take urgent and decisive action to restore a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access, and protect civilian lives.

The statement was signed by the leaders of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

It warned that for more than a month, no commercial or humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza, where over 2.1 million people remain trapped under ongoing bombardment and severe shortages. Meanwhile, critical aid - including food, medicine, fuel, and shelter materials - continues to accumulate at border crossings, unable to reach those in need.

Citing recent reports, the agencies said over 1,000 children were killed or injured in just the first week following the breakdown of the ceasefire - the highest weekly toll for children in Gaza in the past year.

The statement also highlighted that new Israeli evacuation orders have displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many with nowhere safe to go. Since October 2023, at least 408 humanitarian workers have been killed in the conflict, including more than 280 staff members from UNRWA.

"We are witnessing acts of war in Gaza that show an utter disregard for human life," the statement declared.

The agency heads urged world leaders to take immediate, firm action to uphold the core principles of international humanitarian law.

"Protect civilians. Facilitate aid. Release hostages. Renew a ceasefire," the statement concluded. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)