GENEVA, Nov 11 (KUNA) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday expressed concern over the continued restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation forces at Gaza's border crossings.
Many vital supplies needed to save the lives of children suffering from severe malnutrition including 938.000 infant formula have remained stuck across the border since August, UNICEF Spokesperson Ricardo Pires.
He warned during a press briefing in Geneva that restrictions on the entry of essential humanitarian materials, such as maternity kits solar-powered refrigerators spare parts generators and water purification materials are severely hindering humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip.
He explained that the volume of humanitarian assistance entering Gaza has increased significantly in recent weeks with 5.500 trucks recorded between October 12 and November 10 but that many critical supplies continue to be denied entry.
Pires noted that UNICEF in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners has delivered one million doses of vaccines into Gaza to protect children against polio measles and pneumonia.
He also reported that both UN agencies has launched a catch-up immunization campaign targeting over 40.000 children under the age of three who missed routine vaccinations during two years of war and conflict.
Pires added that on the first day of the campaign which started on Sunday UNICEF and partners reached around 2.400 children with multiple vaccines adding that the campaign is being implemented through 149 health facilities and 10 mobile units supported by 450 health workers trained by UNICEF before the war.
Pires also stressed that improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza requires facilitating the entry of all essential supplies without delay emphasizing that the sustained flow of humanitarian aid remains the only way to save children's lives and restore hope to them. (end) imk.aai