UN humanitarians work to improve living conditions for Gazans

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The increasing number of kitchens, water points and healthcare facilities signal continuing improvements in Gazan residents' challenging living conditions, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the world body and its partners seize every opportunity to scale up the provision of life-saving aid.

"Partners working on food security report that, as of the third week of February, some 860,000 cooked meals prepared in around 180 kitchens were being distributed daily, an increase of more than 10 percent compared to 780,000 meals in the second week of February," OCHA said.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that subsidized bread is available at 24 retail shops in the south, allowing safe access to basic staples without overcrowding. As part of daily production, WFP delivers an average of 54,000 free bread bundles to families daily. The market relies heavily on WFP wheat flour as the primary or only source of wheat flour in Gaza.

WFP said at least four food distribution points have been re-established in North Gaza Governorate to ease the burden on families forced to travel long distances for food with increased transport costs and protection risks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to support the health response, providing supplies to three hospitals and five health partners that will serve 250,000 people across the Gaza Strip. In Gaza City, the WHO supported the expansion of the triage and emergency department capacity in Al-Shifa Hospital with tents and an additional 20 beds.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered essential health kits, pediatric medicines and newborn supplies for more than 20,000 people to Al Awda Hospital in North Gaza.

OCHA said the latest polio campaign wound up on Wednesday after reaching more than 600,000 children under 10.

The office said work continues to improve access to water and sanitation with two water points established and expanded in the North Gaza Governorate. Two sections of water networks were also repaired to support long-term water provision to communities in Khan Younis.

More than 100,000 students have enrolled in school following the start of the new academic year on Sunday. So far, 165 public schools across Gaza have reopened. For most students, it is their first time returning to in-person learning in 16 months.

However, OCHA reported a dangerous picture in the West Bank. The office said Israeli military operations continue in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, leading to further casualties and displacement and hindering access to healthcare, water, electricity and other critical services.

"The situation across the West Bank is deeply alarming," OCHA said, once again stressing that international law must be respected and civilians protected. ■