Health risks soaring in Gaza as rainy season nears
Geneva: The approaching rainy season risks worsening a dire public health crisis in Gaza, where most people live in overcrowded tent camps amid rubble and overflowing sewage, the WHO warned Tuesday. The World Health Organisation warned that there had already been a clear deterioration in the quality of water reaching the population in recent months, while the number of diarrhoea cases had surged.…
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the approaching rainy season could exacerbate the dire public health crisis in Gaza. Most residents live in overcrowded tent camps built on rubble, surrounded by overflowing sewage. The quality of available water has deteriorated, with diarrhea cases increasing. Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, stated that water scarcity and contamination are major issues.
Despite a US-backed ceasefire, violence persists, and Israel continues to impose restrictions on aid entry. Tests revealed that morbidity contamination nearly tripled in the first eight months of the year. Van de Weerdt emphasized that the rainy winter season could worsen the situation, as overcrowded tent camps are vulnerable to flooding, sewage contamination, mosquito breeding, and mold growth.
She urged for unimpeded humanitarian aid, including materials for permanent shelter, sustainable water provision, and waste management.
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