Latest from the United Nations on Gaza

In Gaza, Mr. Ging, head of operations said, “We still have thousands of tons of aid stuck outside Gaza in Egypt, Israel and Jordan. The bottom line is that we are not getting the volume or range of supplies. It is creating a lot of misery for the people.”  Many thousands have not received basic supplies of mattresses and food. There is expected to be a long wait for those at the end of lines.  “It is quite shameful –this backup of supplies” said Ging. Many children have been put back in schools and were not fully repaired but were made safe. Additionally, 60 percent of students are without books because paper is not being allowed into Gaza.

“Also, the raw elements needed to make plastic bags for food and paper for textbooks have been delayed. We are being obstructed in the education of children here” Ging added. “There really is no excuse for this, it is being based on Israeli political decisions that make getting supplies difficult.”

Ging said many are growing frustrated. The Hamas police force also stole shipments of food and aid from one of the distribution centers in Gaza city. He also stated that much of the Hamas leadership are underground. Ging believes Hamas stole aid to give it out to themselves. “We are looking to Hamas leadership to get organization back in control. We are not going to bring in supplies to have them stolen by others. The ones not on the ground seem bent on looting and stealing.”

Ging’s message underscored the vital access of life saving supplies is a first priority. The second is to ensure that the education system can function efficiently. Tthe WFP (World Food Program) is ready to distribute 14,000 ready to eat meals for those injured in hospitals throughout the region. UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) reports that it is desperately in need of food aid.

“All of these recent incidents need independent investigation, including the bombing of UN schools.”

Other issues:

The Secretary-General (SG) remains concerned about the tense political situation in Madagascar. The SG will further explore the situation by consultations with the government to help avert violence. The SG was also briefed on consultations on key members of opposition and government in Myanmar to promote national dialogue and peace in the country. The SG also discussed the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and the recent bombings in India. The SG will also bring together a small team to investigate the 2007 murder of Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The timeliness of the  investigation is key– this after over a year of consultations which has resulted in the three person commission. The Security Council (SC) met with Sudanese leaders to try to tailor a way to deliver peace to the region.

On Darfur, the African Union completed a two-day visit to Chad to meet with rebel groups to establish good working relations with all parties involved in the crisis. The goal being to ensure security to the local population.  On Georgia, the SG notes that the UN mission has continued its work without any impediments. However, the status of the Moscow agreement to ensure peace is no longer in place. The SG says “the mission’s position has become precarious”. He has asked the SC to continue its presence of a UN mission in the region.

 

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