Gaza City: The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, expressed his concerns over the US aid distribution mechanism in the Gaza Strip, labeling it as "deeply humiliating, degrading, and putting lives at risk."
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Lazzarini highlighted in a post on X that the US aid model, which operates outside of UN supervision, fails to address the escalating hunger crisis in Gaza. He stressed that the ongoing situation cannot become a new norm, referring to it as a "horrific Hunger Games."
Lazzarini further asserted that the United Nations possesses the necessary knowledge, experience, and community trust to deliver dignified and safe assistance. He called on UNRWA to enable humanitarian workers to perform their duties in the Gaza Strip effectively.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels since the closure of all crossings on March 2, which has blocked the entry of essential supplies such as food, medicine, aid, and fuel. The ongoing conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties, with approximately 182,000 individuals either dead or wounded, including a large number of children and women. The crisis has also led to mass displacement, famine, and extensive infrastructure damage, affecting over 75% of the region.
