00:00 A World Health Organization report indicates that the infection diseases are escalating
00:04 in Gaza, with diarrhea and chickenpox increasing.
00:07 The region's water and sanitation crisis have made residents unable to escape the effects
00:11 of Israeli strikes and seizures.
00:13 The lack of clean drinking water and pollution from infrastructure breakdowns contribute
00:17 to the infection.
00:18 Overcrowding and disrupted health systems further exacerbate the spread of the diseases.
00:23 The lack of fuel has led to the shutdown of desalination plants, increasing the risk of
00:27 bacterial infections.
00:29 The situation is particularly concerning for 1.5 million displaced people in overcrowded
00:33 shelters.
00:35 Between the worryingly low level of access to proper water and sanitation, the extreme
00:39 density of population and a large part of that population that has evacuated to the
00:43 southern three governed states, you have a highly conductive environment for an outbreak
00:48 and spread of infectious disease.
00:51 Say Michael Tanhami, strategic program advisor for crucial infrastructure and essential services
00:57 in the Near and Middle East for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
01:01 The World Health Organization has reported a surge in the most prevalent infection diseases
01:06 in Gaza since mid-October.
01:08 The health facilities in Gaza were already failing people suffering from chronic diseases,
01:12 but this has now become a major emergency.
01:15 Says President of the Board El-Wedat Society for Communication and Rehabilitation, urgent
01:20 support is needed.
01:21 The World Health Organization reported over 33,551 cases of diarrhoea since mid-October,
01:28 primarily among children under five.
01:31 The lack of fuel has disrupted solid waste collection, leading to an environment conductive
01:35 to disease proliferation.
01:38 Upper respiratory infections have also been reported, with over 54,000 cases of affected
01:44 breathing.
01:45 Skin rashes, scabies, lice and chicken pox have also been reported.
01:49 The WHO is working to get the data on deaths due to infectious disease faster during the
01:54 war, as the Ministry of Health typically reports these statistics annually.
01:59 The situation in Gaza has led to significant increase in children affected.
02:04 Infectious disease outbreaks in Gaza are attributed to factors such as contaminated water supply
02:09 and overcrowding and disrupted hygiene.
02:11 Families are taking shelter in UN facilities, some of which are unfit for providing safe
02:16 living conditions.
02:17 Meanwhile, solid waste is collected on the streets, creating breeding grounds for disease.
02:22 The private Indonesian hospital in north Gaza has switched off all vital departments and
02:26 critical equipment like incubators is at risk.
02:30 The WHO has warned that a third of Gaza hospitals are already not operating.
02:41 [BLANK_AUDIO]
Comments