How Has Rainfall Worsened Gaza’s Health Crisis?

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00:00I'd just like to start by asking about some comments that I read that were made by the UN

00:03Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, who says that the situation in Gaza has sharply deteriorated as a

00:10result of some heavy rainfall and obviously a lot of displaced people living in makeshift shelters.

00:16What's the latest you're hearing about the situation there?

00:19Yes, so thank you very much. And it's really a true pleasure to be with you here today.

00:24But again, talking about a very difficult situation in Gaza where there has been a

00:29significant destruction of the infrastructure, the people are living, as you have mentioned,

00:33in makeshift tents, in partially or totally destroyed buildings, the situation is very

00:41difficult. So from a health perspective, from the mental health perspective and from the regular

00:45health perspective, it's a very challenging situation. Compounded on that, the rain and the

00:51weather changes will even add more stress to the population of Gaza and their ability to access

00:57the existing or remaining of the health care facilities. We're going to expect to see a

01:04different type of dynamics when it comes to outbreaks and infections. We were already seeing a very high

01:10increase in communicable diseases and mental health and stress and difficulties in taking care of

01:16chronic diseases. But now with the rain also, I'm expecting to see even more trends of disease

01:24transmitted through contaminated water and poor sanitation. So the situation is quite difficult

01:31right now. And we continue to aspire for a sustained ceasefire so that we can continue

01:37to support the people in Gaza.