New york: The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that the announcement of a ceasefire has generated a new hope for relief at last in Gaza, urging Member States to extend generous funding for the response so that the humanitarian communities can scale up.
According to Emirates News Agency, UN Secretary General spokesperson St©phane Dujarric stated during the daily media briefing that, following the ceasefire announcement by Israeli authorities, thousands of people resumed movement north, mainly on foot, but also in vehicles and animal-drawn carts. Some of those who have reached Gaza City reported finding their homes had sustained further damage.
Dujarric emphasized that the UN and its partners are ready to scale up the humanitarian response immediately. For this plan to be effective, the UN requires the opening of additional crossings, safe movement for aid workers and civilians, the unrestricted entry of goods, visas for staff, and operational space for the UN and its NGO partners, all in line with humanitarian principles.
He highlighted the urgency of rehabilitating infrastructure after two years of war to enable recovery, noting the critical role of the private sector. OCHA appeals to leaders backing the ceasefire to secure the conditions needed for unimpeded humanitarian operations.
Dujarric reiterated the critical need for Member States to extend generous funding for the response to allow humanitarian communities to scale up.