Attachments
Situation Update
Gaza Strip
- Preparations are ongoing to implement the second round of the polio vaccination campaign, expected to take place in mid-October, benefiting from lessons learnt from the completed first round, and based on the findings of the post-campaign assessments.
- The Nutrition Cluster reported that a total of 304,000 children were screened for malnutrition, from January to 16 September 2024. Out of this, 20,241 (6.6%) were admitted for malnutrition treatment, including 4,437 (1.4%) with severe acute malnutrition, and 15,804 (5.2%) admitted due to moderate malnutrition.
- Four severe acute malnutrition stabilization centers (SAM SC) are currently functioning, across the Gaza Strip. Two SCs are supported by WHO and Med-Global at Kamal Adwan and Patients Friends Benevolent Society Hospitals (10 beds each); one SC is supported by WHO and IMC at the IMC Deir Al-Balah FH (7 beds); and one supported by MSF-Spain at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis (6 beds).
- The Health and WASH clusters published a joint information note on the potential public health impact of flooding on the Gazan population, during the approaching winter season. According to the 2023 flood risk assessment and current population distribution, many internally displaced people are located near flooding hotspots, increasing risks of injury and drowning. Forty-seven per cent (114/242) of health service points were found to be near flooding hotspots, putting them at risk of damage and jeopardizing the population’s access to essential health services. Formation of stagnant pools also increases the risk of vector-borne diseases as they become breeding sites for mosquitoes, and contamination of water supplies with sewage increases the risk of water-borne diseases. Additional potential impact includes exacerbation of psychological stress, in addition to other effects related to exposure to mold, environmental and chemical hazards.
- Renewed attacks on health:
- On 21 September, an MOH warehouse in North Rafah was attacked. Deaths of four MOH employees and injuries to six were reported.
- MOH confirmed the death of three healthcare workers who were reportedly detained while on duty between December 2023 and March 2024, increasing the number of health workers killed in detention to five, since 7 October.
- Medical evacuation of patients outside of Gaza remains limited since 7 May. As of 25 September, out of 14,510 cases requested for medical evacuation, 5,130 (35%) have been evacuated, since October 2023, with only 219 patients evacuated since Rafah Closure in May 2024. Of utmost urgency is the restoration of medical evacuations from Gaza to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where hospitals are ready to receive patients. Patients must also be facilitated to be transferred to Egypt and Jordan, and from there to other countries when needed. WHO appeals for the establishment of multiple medical evacuation corridors to ensure sustained, organized, safe and timely passage of patients via all possible routes, including Rafah and Kerem Shalom.
- Persistent fuel shortages continue to threaten humanitarian interventions, including health care provision, impacting the functionality of hospitals, PHCCs and ambulance services.
- According to Israeli authorities, over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed inside Israel, and approximately 5,400 reported injuries. As of 25 September, there have been 346 reported fatalities and 2,290 reported injuries of Israeli soldiers since the start of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip. One hundred and one hostages remain in Gaza.