MSF Coordinator on Israel's NGO Ban and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

• ⛺ Palestinians in Gaza are enduring harsh winter conditions in makeshift shelters and destroyed buildings, with collapsing structures causing deaths.
• 🌧️ The upcoming months of January and February are expected to bring severe rains and floods, exacerbating the suffering of a population already lacking basic necessities.
• 🚚 The entry of vital goods, including tents and shelter equipment, is extremely slow, failing to meet the needs of the 2 million people in Gaza.

Medical Situation and Healthcare Access

• 🏥 Most hospitals and health centers in Gaza are not functional or only partially functional, with needs increasing tremendously.
• 📉 Two main hospitals have been moved beyond the "yellow line," further reducing healthcare access, especially in Gaza City.
• 🩹 Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is treating the most severe cases but faces supply shortages, limiting their ability to provide adequate care, particularly for the 5,000-6,000 amputees requiring long-term support.

The "Yellow Line" and Displacement

• ⚠️ The "yellow line" is a moving, unclear boundary that, when approached, results in people being shot at, including women and children.
• 🗺️ This line has led to over 50% of the Gaza Strip becoming inaccessible, forcing displacement and concentrating the population into a much smaller area.

Role of Aid Organizations

• 🌐 International organizations are currently supporting almost all basic needs in Gaza, including healthcare, water distribution, food supply, and even trash collection, as the public system is largely non-functional.
• 📉 MSF alone supports nearly a third of births and about 20% of hospital activities in Gaza.

Mental Health and Trauma

• 🧠 The population is experiencing immense trauma due to ongoing insecurity and the horrors of war, with explosions still occurring even during discussions.
• 😔 While MSF continues to support mental health, they are only able to address a small fraction of the overwhelming needs, with the situation potentially worsening in the coming weeks and months.