Favour Ozioma Ogbodo
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has appealed for humanitarian assistance and protection for children and families in Gaza.
In a post on its website dated November 14, 2023, the organisation called for every child’s need to be considered above the issues in the war, while advocating for immediate assistance to alleviate their plight.
While stressing that “in all wars it is children who suffer first and suffer most,” UNICEF expressed worry that the escalation of hostilities is having catastrophic impact on children and families.
It stated: “Children keep dying at alarming rate and thousands have reportedly killed and thousands more injured. It is estimated that 1.5m people in Gaza is displaced and more than half constitute children. There is scarcity of food, medicine, fuel and other necessities as a result of war.”
UNICEF decried the effects of war, stating that facilities housing children should be guided. It further said, “Irrespective of the war, rules should be adhere to humanitarian cease fire in Gaza. No child should suffer or cut off from essential services of held hostage. All road block should be open to access medicine and food in Gaza.
“Urgent medical cases in Gaza should be attended to with care or allow to leave. Respect and adequate protection should be meted out to all civilian infrastructure such as shelters, schools, health facilities.”
