UNRWA and MSF Warn of Rising Burn Injuries, Waste Accumulation, and Painkiller Shortages in Gaza Amid Israeli Blockade

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate amid an ongoing Israeli blockade that has lasted nearly two months, severely restricting the delivery of essential medical supplies and aid. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have reported critical shortages of medical resources, including painkillers, and an alarming rise in burn injuries, with MSF clinics in Gaza City treating over 100 burn patients daily and having performed more than 1,000 surgeries. Seventy percent of burn victims are children, highlighting the vulnerability of the population. The blockade has also led to a significant accumulation of waste, contributing to the spread of diseases due to poor sanitation and environmental health risks such as the proliferation of insects and rodents.

UNRWA has been providing solid waste collection services where possible, including cleaning 150 manholes serving over 23,000 people. Medical personnel have described the situation as dire, with hospitals struggling to cope and patients enduring excruciating pain due to the lack of adequate care and resources. UN officials and aid organizations have called for the immediate lifting of the blockade to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and to prevent further public health crises.