KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) is appealing for US$20 million (RM94.67 million) in response to the emerging humanitarian crisis caused by the devastating Israel-Palestine conflict.
"The situation in the Gaza Strip is a growing stain on our collective conscience. The rate of death and injuries of children is simply staggering," said Unicef Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Adele Khodr.
"Even more frightening is the fact that unless tensions are eased, and unless humanitarian aid is allowed, including food, water, medical supplies and fuel, the daily death toll will continue to rise.
"The hostilities and blockades to all supply routes have left children and families in Gaza without food, clean drinking water, electricity, medicine and safe access to hospitals. Most of the water systems are non-operational due to damage to the infrastructure, lack of fuel and access constraints," he said in a statement.
Since Oct 7, Israel has killed more than 9,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, according to news report today.
Their claims of self-defence in countering Hamas have been challenged due to the alleged use of over 18,000 tonnes of bombs on Gaza, causing substantial casualties.
Unicef said it has warned that more than 400 children are killed and injured every day, and almost every child in Gaza is exposed to distressing events and trauma due to the war.
"The bombardment of the Jabaliya refugee camp is the latest in a series of attacks in which children in Gaza have been killed and injured.
"Refugee camps, settlements for the internally displaced, and the civilians inhabiting them are all protected under international humanitarian law (IHL). Parties to conflict have an obligation to respect and protect them from attack," the statement said.
Unicef has been coordinating with the Gaza Health Ministry and UNRWA in supplying emergency supplies to the Gaza Strip since Oct 21.
This includes 34 trucks carrying medicines and medical consumable kits to Nasser Hospital for an estimated 165,000 people, as well as bottled water for 55,000 people, it said.
It said Unicef is urging for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ensure the protection of children and for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver lifesaving aid across the Gaza Strip.
Those who wish to donate to the Children of Gaza Crisis may do so via bank transfer to United Nations Children's Fund-Emergency.
The public can also contact the donation hotline at 1300 300 010 or contribute online at https://bit.ly/gaza-crisis-appeal
For enquiries or corporate donations, contact Unicef Malaysia at [email protected] .
As of today, the funding gap stands at about US$12 million (RM56.8 million).
