Gaza update: WHO - OHCHR - UNICEF
/
2:56
/
MP4
/
214.8 MB
Transcripts
Download

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR , UNICEF

Gaza: Polio alert and anarchy – WHO, OHCHR, UNICEF

Poliovirus detected in Gaza sewage puts thousands at risk amid increasing ‘anarchy’

In Gaza, tests conducted by the Global Polio Laboratory Network have confirmed the presence of poliovirus in six sewage samples collected on 23 June from Khan Younis and Deir al Balah.

The latest health threat has been exacerbated by severe overcrowding caused by repeated forced displacement, scarce and contaminated water supplies, accumulated garbage and the limited access of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including hygiene supplies.

Polio is a very contagious viral disease that attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis within hours, warned the UN World Health Organization (WHO). For the time being, however, “the virus has been isolated from the environment and there's no associated paralytic case or any cases that have been detected,” said WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier.

According to the UN health agency, the escalation of hostilities in the Strip has led to a rise in deaths and injuries, severe overcrowding in camps and the disruption of health, water, and sewage systems, all contributing to the spread of infectious diseases.

As part of the response efforts, the UN health agency is working with the local health authority in Gaza, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) and partners to conduct risk assessments, determine the scope of poliovirus spread and decide on measures necessary to stop it, including prompt vaccination campaigns.

“The coverage rates in Gaza were optimal before the start of the ongoing war,” Mr. Lindmeier told journalists in Geneva. “Polio vaccination coverage primarily conducted through routine immunization was estimated at 89 per cent in 2023, according to the latest WHO-UNICEF routine immunization estimates,” he added.

UN agencies reiterated their call for an immediate halt to the fighting so that clean water could be brought in and sewage networks repaired.

The acute humanitarian crisis, desperation and scarcity is also affecting public order. The United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) warned that "anarchy" is spreading in the Gaza Strip, with looting, unlawful killings and shootings.

Just back from a visit to Gaza on Thursday, Ajith Sunghay, head of OHCHR for Gaza and the West Bank, said that there is no law enforcement in the Strip. “There is looting, some opportunistic, some in the north, more because they're hungry,” he explained. “Beyond that, you also have many so-called ‘family disputes’. You hear a lot of bullets flying. And this is not between only the (Israeli Defense Forces) IDF and the Palestinians. Within these communities there is chaos. This is the anarchy we talk about, and it's extremely dangerous as well. We want the police to be back on the street and to bring some order there.”

The UN human rights officer insisted that the absence of law enforcement has been caused by Israel's dismantling of local capacity to maintain public order and safety in Gaza.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder emphasized the responsibility of Israel as the occupying power in Gaza to fulfil its obligations under international law: “This is the legal responsibility of Israel, not just to facilitate aid getting in, but then to facilitate the safe distribution of that aid. None of these things has been happening for nine months," he maintained.

Gaza is one of the most difficult operating environments of all time because there are inefficiencies on the ground. “What there are is disease on the ground, bombs from the sky and a deliberate, consistent willingness of authorities who have the legal and military power to prevent lifesaving aid going into Gaza,” Mr. Elder said.

Echoing that message, the WHO’s Christian Lindmeier pointed to the “evidence on the ground. Let journalists go into Gaza and let them see for themselves what's going on. Compare the evidence with the words and the rest speaks for itself.”

As pressure mounts on the Israeli government over a ceasefire deal, a large majority of the Knesset voted a resolution on Thursday against the establishment of a Palestinian state, west of the Jordan River. The UN Secretary General expressed his disappointment and reiterated his belief that ending the occupation and negotiating a two-State solution were key to a peaceful future for the people of Palestine and Israel.

This would involve Israelis living side by side with an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State, António Guterres said, in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, based on the 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

Ends

Story: “Gaza: Polio alert and anarchy – WHO, OHCHR, UNICEF” – 19 July 2024

Speakers:

  • Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson
  • Ajith Sunghay Head of OHCHR for the occupied Palestinian territory (speaking from Amman)
  • James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson

TRT: 02’56”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 19 July 2024 - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
Geneva Press briefing



SHOTLIST

  1. Exterior medium shot: UN flag alley.

  2. Wide shot of the podium with speakers at the press conference room.
  1. SOUNDBITE (English) Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson: “It's important to note that the virus has been isolated from the environment only, at this time, and there's no associated paralytic case or any cases that have been detected.”
  1. Medium shot of press room.

  2. SOUNDBITE (English) Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson: “The coverage rates in Gaza were really optimal before the start of this ongoing war. Polio vaccination coverage is primarily conducted through routine immunization, and was estimated at 89 per cent in 2023, just according to the latest, WHO-UNICEF region routine immunization estimates.

  3. Medium shot: journalists at the press conference room.

  4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ajith Sunghay, Head of OHCHR for the Occupied Palestinian Territory: “There is no law enforcement. The law enforcement has been disbanded as I mentioned. In this scenario, of course there is looting: some opportunistic, some in the North more because they're hungry, and what people have been seeing as self-distribution. So, it is a combination of these things. But beyond that you also have many so-called family disputes in middle Gaza itself.”

  5. Medium shot: journalists listening in the press conference room.

  6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ajith Sunghay, Head of OHCHR for the Occupied Palestinian Territory: “You hear a lot of bullets flying. And this is not between only IDF and the Palestinians. Within these communities there is chaos. There's no one enforcing any civic order. I will not call it as law and order because there is no law at this point in time there. So, this is the anarchy that we talk about, and it's extremely dangerous as well. We need to pay attention here. We want the police to be back on the street and to bring some order there.”

  7. Wide shot of the press conference room.

  8. SOUNDBITE (English) James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson: “This is the legal responsibility of Israel, not just to facilitate aid getting in, but then to facilitate the safe distribution of that aid. None of these things have been happening for nine months.”

  9. Medium shot of the press conference room.

  10. SOUNDBITE (English) James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson: “Those people on the ground, in one of the most difficult operating environments of all time, to think that this is somehow because there are inefficiencies on the ground. What there are is disease on the ground, bombs from the sky and a deliberate, consistent willingness of authorities who have the legal and military power to prevent lifesaving aid going into Gaza.”

  11. Medium shot of the press conference room and control room.

  12. SOUNDBITE (English) Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson: “Look at the evidence on the ground. Let journalists go into Gaza and let them see for themselves what's going on. Compare the evidence with the words and the rest speaks for itself.”

  13. Various close shots of journalists listening in the press conference room.


Audio Files 1
Download Gaza update: WHO - OHCHR - UNICEF (Edited Story)
Download

Similar Stories

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on attacks around aid sites in Gaza

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on attacks around aid sites in Gaza ENG FRA

“Deadly attacks on distraught civilians trying to access the paltry amounts of food aid in Gaza, are unconscionable. For a third day running, people were killed around an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This morning, we have received information that dozens more people were killed and injured,” Jeremy Laurence UN Human Rights spokesperson said at the biweekly press briefing in Geneva.

Gaza aid update - OCHA 30 May 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA

Gaza aid update - OCHA 30 May 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza ‘hungriest place on earth’ with aid stymied – UN humanitarians

Starving Gazans continue to be deprived of aid as international relief efforts are being severely constrained by the Israeli authorities, the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office OCHA said on Friday.

Gaza humanitarian update - OCHA, UNRWA

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNRWA

Gaza humanitarian update - OCHA, UNRWA ENG FRA

As a controversial United States and Israel-backed aid distribution plan gets underway in Gaza, the UN called on Tuesday for an “immediate surge” of its own pre-positioned supplies to help prevent starvation.

Uganda UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani  urges president to reject bill allowing trials of civilians in military courts

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Uganda UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani urges president to reject bill allowing trials of civilians in military courts ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani today urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to reject a bill that was recently endorsed by parliament allowing trials of civilians in military courts. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed on 20 May and now awaits presidential signature to become law, among others broadens the jurisdiction of military courts, authorising them to try a wide range of offences against civilians.

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango: South Sudan: UN human rights chief decries escalating hostilities, arbitrary arrests and hate speech

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango: South Sudan: UN human rights chief decries escalating hostilities, arbitrary arrests and hate speech ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango today warned of a further deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan at the bi-weekly briefing in Geneva.

Syria humanitarian update OCHA - WHO 23 May 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , WHO

Syria humanitarian update OCHA - WHO 23 May 2025 ENG FRA

Syria: ‘Staggering’ needs amid insecurity, health care crisis  - UN humanitarians

Millions of people in Syria continue to face mortal danger from unexploded munitions, disease and malnutrition and urgent support is required, UN humanitarians said on Friday.

Gaza health update - UNRWA - OCHA - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | UNRWA , OCHA , WHO

Gaza health update - UNRWA - OCHA - WHO ENG FRA

UN life-saving aid allowed to trickle into Gaza as civilian needs mount

Amid calls for more humanitarian trucks to enter the food and medicine-deprived Palestinian enclave of Gaza, UN humanitarians have received permission from Israel for “around 100” more aid trucks to cross into the Strip after only five were let in yesterday,  But the scale of relief efforts allowed remains entirely insufficient to meet the urgent needs of people there, humanitarian workers say.

Press vests becoming a target - war reporter Christina Assi

1

1

1

Edited News

Press vests becoming a target - war reporter Christina Assi ENG FRA

A war reporter from Lebanon who lost a limb in the line of duty is calling for an end to impunity for attacks against journalists.

ITU 160th Anniversary - 17 May 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | ITU

ITU 160th Anniversary - 17 May 2025 ENG FRA

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) commemorated 160 years dedicated to connecting the world on Saturday, 17 May in Geneva, Switzerland, during the annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

Gaza humanitarian update – WHO, OCHA 16 May 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OCHA

Gaza humanitarian update – WHO, OCHA 16 May 2025 ENG FRA

Gazans ‘in terror’ after another night of deadly strikes and siege

Amid reports that Israeli strikes across Gaza into Friday killed at least 64 people, aid teams once again pushed back strongly at allegations that aid is being diverted to Hamas and pleaded for the blockade to end.

UN Human Rights raises human rights concerns about deportations from the United States of America

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights raises human rights concerns about deportations from the United States of America ENG FRA

Deportations over recent months of large numbers of non-nationals from the United States of America, especially to countries other than those of their origin, raise a number of human rights concerns, the UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned on Tuesday.   

Gaza health update - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza health update - WHO ENG FRA

Gaza: Over 50 child malnutrition deaths amid aid blockade; entire generation will be ‘permanently affected’ - WHO

In the aid desert of Gaza, malnourished children are dying while survivors can expect a lifetime of dire health problems, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.