Update on Gaza WHO - OCHA 03 May 2024
/
2:41
/
MP4
/
311.8 MB

Edited News | WHO , OCHA

Update on Gaza WHO - OCHA 03 May 2024

GAZA: Targeting Rafah could lead to slaughter, UN humanitarians warn
UN humanitarians warned on Friday that should a ground operation by the Israeli military occur in Rafah this could lead to “slaughter” in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
“The hundreds of thousands of people who are there would be at imminent risk of death if there is an assault,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in a media briefing at the United Nations in Geneva. “If this happens, both what the Emergency Relief Coordinator has warned about could be a slaughter of civilians, but also at the same time an incredible blow to the humanitarian operation in the entire strip, because it is run primarily out of Rafah.”
Rafah is considered to be the heart of humanitarian operations in Gaza -- the transshipment point for aid arriving in the Gaza Strip via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings. It is where dozens of aid organizations store the supplies they deliver to civilians across the Gaza Strip such as food, water, health, sanitation, and hygiene items.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are making contingency plans to ensure the health system can continue providing some care, health experts consider this to be a drop in the bucket compared to actual needs. “This contingency plan is Band-Aids. It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation”, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative for the occupied Palestinian territory.
“A military operation will lead to a new wave of displacement, more overcrowding, less access to essential food, water, sanitation, etc., and definitely more outbreaks than what we already have,” Dr. Peeperkorn said. He added that “1.2 million, 1.5 million people, are crammed at Rafah and any operation will result in an additional humanitarian disaster on top of what it already is.”
Severely malnourished children continue to be in need of treatment, despite some improvements in the flow of food aid, according to the WHO. “As of 20th April, […] you have already 46 cases of severe acute malnutrition with complications, so they have been admitted to the so-called severe acute Malnourished Stabilization Centers. So you find them at Kamal Adwan (hospital), and seven in Tal Al-Sutan, and four at the IMC (International Medical Corps) Field Hospital”, said Dr. Peeperkorn.
Asked about the mass graves which have been discovered at the Nasser and the Al Shifa hospital, Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized that WHO does not have criminal investigation capacities.
“We have to think about public health risks" Dr. Peeperkorn said with reference to need to deal with the mass graves. "Also, if you have at least people buried properly, in the future forensic investigations can take place. And last but not least, it's a very important thing: the families can somehow, you know, organize their good-byes.”
-ends

STORY: Update on Gaza – WHO, OCHA

TRT: 2:41”

SOURCE: UNTV CH

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

DATELINE: 3 May 2024 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Exterior medium shot: UN flag alley

2. Medium shot: speakers at the podium of the press conference

3. SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “1.2 million, 1.5 million people, are crammed at Rafah. And any operation will result in an additional humanitarian disaster on top of what it already is.”

4. Wide shot: speakers at the podium filmed from behind during the press conference with journalists in the press room

5. SOUNDBITE (English) - Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “This contingency plan is Band-Aids. It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation. Also, of course, a military operation will lead to a new wave of displacement, more overcrowding, less access to essential food, water, sanitation, etc., and definitely more outbreaks than what we already have.”

6. Medium shot, journalists in press room

7. SOUNDBITE (English) - Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “We have to think about public health risks. And also, if you have at least people are buried properly that in the future forensic investigations can take place. And last but not least, it's a very important thing. The families can somehow, you know, organize their good-byes in this kind of environment.”

8. Close up, journalist listening

9. SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for OPT: “As of 20th April, so these are the latest figures, that you have already 46 cases of severe acute malnutrition with complications. So they have been admitted to the so-called severe acute Malnourished Stabilization Centers. So you find them at Kamal Adwan (hospital), and seven in Tal Al-Sutan, and four at the IMC (International Medical Corps) Field Hospital.”

10. Wide shot: speakers at the podium filmed from behind during the press conference with journalists in the press room

11. SOUNDBITE (English) – Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “Most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of people who are there would be at imminent risk of death if there is an assault. So, we are looking at, if this happens, both what the Emergency Relief Coordinator has warned about could be a slaughter of civilians, but also at the same time an incredible blow to the humanitarian operation in the entire strip, because it is run primarily out of Rafah.”

12. Medium shot: Speakers at the podium

13. Wide shot: speakers at the podium filmed from behind during the press conference with journalists in the press room

14. Wide shot: Journalists in press room


Documents 1
Download Storyline
Download

Audio Files 1
Download Update on Gaza WHO - OCHA 03 May 2024
Download

Similar Stories

Ukraine update - UNICEF, IFRC 16 January 2026

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , IFRC

Ukraine update - UNICEF, IFRC 16 January 2026 ENG FRA

Ukraine: Families in ‘survival mode’ amid Russian strikes and -18°C cold

Families across Ukraine are in “constant survival mode” amid ongoing waves of Russian missile and drone strikes that have left blocks without power for days at a time, while temperatures plunge to a deadly -18°C (-0.4°F), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.

Iran: UN Human Rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence urges authorities to end violent repression and calls for accountability

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

Iran: UN Human Rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence urges authorities to end violent repression and calls for accountability ENG FRA

At the bi-weekly press conference in Geneva, UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence urges Iranian authorities to end violent repression and calls for accountability.

Gaza ceasefire deaths - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF

Gaza ceasefire deaths - UNICEF ENG FRA

Gaza: A ceasefire that ‘still buries children’ is not enough, says UNICEF

Airstrikes, drone strikes and hypothermia are among the lethal conditions prevailing in Gaza despite the ceasefire, with more than 100 children killed since early October, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

UN report Repression and impunity impacting right to participation in leadup to elections UN Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado comments

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN report Repression and impunity impacting right to participation in leadup to elections UN Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado comments ENG FRA

At the UN bi-weekly press conference in Geneva, UN Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado commented on the widespread repression and intimidation against political opposition ahead of the general elections in Uganda.

1,000 days of war in Sudan – OCHA, UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

1,000 days of war in Sudan – OCHA, UNICEF ENG FRA

Aid agencies marked 1,000 days of war in Sudan on Friday with a grim reminder that the conflict has created the world’s biggest hunger crisis and largest displacement emergency. Every day, civilians have been “paying the price for a war they did not choose”, said the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on U.S. intervention in Venezuela

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on U.S. intervention in Venezuela ENG FRA

Ravina Shamdasani, UN Human Rights spokesperson, made the following comments at the bi-weekly press briefing of the United Nations on the United States’ intervention in Venezuela.

Venezuela UN reactions – OHCHR, OCHA 06 January 2026

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , OHCHR

Venezuela UN reactions – OHCHR, OCHA 06 January 2026 ENG FRA

Venezuela: US military intervention ‘far from victory for human rights’, makes world less safe – UN rights office

The UN rights office (OHCHR) on Tuesday expressed concern over the situation in Venezuela following the United States military operation and seizure of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend, insisting that the move runs counter to international law and damages global security.

Sudan update - IOM 19 December 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | IOM

Sudan update - IOM 19 December 2025 ENG FRA

As fighting spreads across Sudan in a dangerous new escalation, "people are scared, people are fleeing their homes," the UN migration agency, IOM, said on Friday, noting that more than 50,000 people have fled attacks and violence since late October in Kordofan region alone.  

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk   Oral Update on Ukraine to the Human Rights Council

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Oral Update on Ukraine to the Human Rights Council ENG FRA

Volker Türk the UN Human Rights High Commissioner made the following remarks during and Oral update tothe Human Rights Council intersessional meeting on Venezuela.

Influenza new variant - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Influenza new variant - WHO ENG FRA

New flu variant is surging, but vaccination still our best bet - WHO

Amid an early start to the Northern Hemisphere influenza season a new variant of the virus is rapidly gaining ground - but vaccination remains the “most effective defence”, the UN health agency said on Tuesday.

Sudan crisis - WFP 12 December 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WFP

Sudan crisis - WFP 12 December 2025 ENG FRA

In Sudan, deep concerns persist for the many tens of thousands of people believed to still be trapped in the city of El Fasher in the Darfur region, but UN aid agencies believe they may soon get access to the embattled city.