The humanitarian situation in Gaza was discussed at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with an information presentation by UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Antonio Marie de Meo. De Meo stated that Gaza was in a deplorable state and emphasized that the destruction was having a terrible impact on children. Sharing that there were 625,000 traumatized children in Gaza who could not go to school, de Meo expressed their determination to provide psychological and social support to these children.
UNRWA Deputy Commissioner General, drawing attention to the seriousness of the situation in Gaza, stated that the UN will continue its efforts to provide educational opportunities to children in Gaza again. However, he stated that despite the UNSC ceasefire decisions, there was no improvement in Gaza.
De Meo also reported that violations of international humanitarian law continue in Gaza, that UNRWA personnel are being targeted and facilities are being hit. De Meo also touched on the deaths of displaced people under the UN flag, stressing that this situation is unacceptable.
De Meo, who drew attention to the fact that occupying Israel does not grant visas to UN personnel and humanitarian workers and that false information against UNRWA is spread on social media, stated that this situation puts the workers at serious risk. De Meo, who warned against the Israeli’s attempts to declare UNRWA a terrorist organization, stated that UNRWA will continue to exist as long as there is no political solution.
Stressing that there was no alternative to UNRWA, de Meo demanded that the UNSC act in unity against attacks on UNRWA. He stated that despite the difficulties of providing services in Gaza, UNRWA would continue to fulfill its mandate.
