In the wake of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, an alarming spike in infectious diseases has resulted in thousands contracting hepatitis, bloody diarrhea, and jaundice.
According to Ghada al-Jara, a resident of the nearby Somaly refugee camp, the recent outbreak is but a symptom of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the area. “It’s hard to stay healthy when you don’t even have enough food or clean water to drink,” said Jara.
This tragedy is only worsened by the fact that many medical services and facilities are limited or no longer available due to the destruction of infrastructure. In addition to this, smuggled medical supplies that were previously used to treat illnesses inside Gaza are now being blocked by the Israeli authorities. This has caused a dire shortage of medicine and other medical equipment in the region.
The World Health Organisation has urged the Israeli authorities to ease restrictions on aid and medical supplies entering the Gaza Strip in order to help halt the spread of infectious diseases. However, the situation on the ground remains dire.
As the number of reported cases continues to rise, so too does the strain on emergency relief services. The International Committee of the Red Cross is providing meals, blankets, and medical assistance to those in need, but more help is needed to combat this public health crisis.
The solution lies in lifting the blockade, facilitating medical aid, and providing access to clean water and sanitation services. Until that happens, it is unlikely that the situation in Gaza will improve any time soon.
