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

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF

Gaza Al-Mawasi update - UNICEF ENG FRA

Under the bombs falling on Gaza City families with starving children are being pushed out on hours-long journeys on foot southwards, only to find another “hellscape”, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell on DPRK ENG FRA

New UN Human Rights report finds 10 years of increased suffering repression and fear

The UN Human Rights Office on Friday published a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since 2014. 

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNICEF , UNHCR

Afghanistan update - UNICEF UNHCR 12 September 2025 ENG FRA

The ongoing humanitarian response to the devastating Afghanistan earthquake disaster continued on Friday, although essential services have been cut for operational reasons following reinforced Taliban restrictions on women working with the UN, the global body said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report on DRC at the 60th Human Rights Council ENG FRA

Un nouveau rapport du Haut-Commissariat des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme sur la République démocratique du Congo évoque le spectre de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l'humanité dans le Nord et le Sud-Kivu., 

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC

HRC60 Press Conference: Report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission - 09 September 2025 ENG FRA

A high-level independent rights probe into the Sudan crisis on Tuesday condemned the many grave crimes committed against civilians by all parties to the war, citing disturbing evidence indicating that they had been “deliberately targeted, displaced and starved”.

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Ukraine attacks - health update - WHO ENG FRA

Ukraine: ‘Relentless’ attacks rattle health system as winter approaches: WHO

Ambulances attacked, chronically ill patients lacking care and no peace in sight: for millions of Ukrainians, the run-up to another winter of war is just the latest life-or-death challenge they face, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Tuesday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presents report on Sri Lanka to 60th HRC ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his report on Sri Lanka to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

HRC 60 HC Volker Türk Global update speech ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday delivered his global update to the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

DRC: UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity ENG FRA

A UN report on the Democratic Republic of Congo raises specter of war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and South Kivu, according to UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025 ENG FRA

As billions of people continue to breathe polluted air that causes more than 4.5 million premature deaths every year, UN climate experts on Friday highlighted how damaging microscopic smoke particles from wildfires play their part, travelling half-way across the world.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence made the following comment on the on-going presidential election process in Cameroon at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Myanmar

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Myanmar ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights Office released a new report on Myanmar, describing death, destruction and desperation which reflect atrocities committed in 2017.