A/HRC/10/22
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27. Approximately 91 per cent of Gaza’s population - some 1,275,300 people
including 14,168 children - are now dependent on food assistance. Despite the severity of the
attacks and the immense humanitarian need, there have been no significant changes to access
restrictions in Gaza prior to that of 26 December 2008. From 27 December to 21 January 2009,
the total number of trucks that entered was an average 95 per day through Kerem Shalom and 56
through Karni, for a total average of 151 per day. Aid experts cite that a minimum of 400 trucks
per day are needed to satisfy critical humanitarian needs in Gaza, while emergency
reconstruction efforts would necessitate at least 1,500 trucks per day.
28. Without construction materials being allowed into Gaza there can be no significant
recovery for the communities. The IDF continues to block the delivery of pipes and fittings,
which is having a deleterious impact on the access to safe drinking water. On 25 January
UNICEF was informed that a solar refrigerator for vaccines destined for North Gaza was denied
entry; this is having a direct impact on children and pregnant women who are unable to receive
vaccination at their local Primary Health Clinic.
29. An estimated 3,300 babies were born during the conflict, during which there were reports
of premature labour and delivery due to the lack of access to healthcare. Also, primary health
care services were reported to have declined by about 90 per cent, and many programmes such as
vaccination schemes and neonatal care stopped completely for significant periods.
30. Water, sewer, electricity and education infrastructure and services were also extensively
damaged and interrupted; almost certainly compounding obstacles to recovery and rehabilitation
for displaced children and their families. For example, at the height of the conflict, nearly all of
Gaza’s population - including 793,520 children were without electricity, and at any given time
during the conflict, some 500,000 people were without water. Around 30,000 babies - or
three quarters of Gaza’s infants under 6 months of age - are not exclusively breastfed, exposing
them to a high risk of infection or malnutrition from using breast milk substitutes prepared with
potentially contaminated water.
31. At least 2,200,000 litres of sewage have leaked out of Gaza’s waste water system due to
damage from shelling, affecting at least 91,727 people, including 51,367 children, this now poses
serious health risks, and the impact on children has the potential to be significant.
32. Until the Government of Israel allows an increased range of supplies into Gaza, including
construction materials, there can be no meaningful recovery for the children of Gaza. School and
health facilities have been badly affected by the attacks. The education system was already under
severe strain and now an increased number of schools are without adequate resources to provide
education for children. In addition to construction materials, schools need paper for text books,
school stationary supplies, recreation and sports kits - all of which have been denied access by
the IDF since the end of the 22-day conflict.
Displacement
33. It has been estimated that 200,000 people were displaced, among them 112,000 children,
at some point during the conflict. At the peak of displacement on 17 January,
UNRWA was accommodating, 50,896 displaced persons in 50 UNRWA shelters. As
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