The UN Secretary -General, Anthony Guterres, decided to reduce the number of organization staff in the Gaza Sector after renewal of intense Israeli strikes in the territory, which caused serious destruction and human losses among civilians, including among the UN staff.
Last week, after the renewal of Israel's military operations in the Gaza sector, numerous air strikes were caused, which killed hundreds of civilians. According to the UN representatives, among the dead - the employees of the organization. During one of the attacks on March 19, the Israeli tank fired a UN-owned building in Deir el-Ballas, which led to the death of an employee from Bulgaria and serious injuries to six people from different countries, including France, Moldova, Northern Macedonia, Palestinus and Great Britain. It has become another sad episode in the already difficult situation in the region.
Given the growth of humanitarian needs and threats to employees, the UN decided to reduce the number of its employees in the Gaza sector. However, despite this, the organization emphasizes that it does not leave the region completely. The UN will continue its humanitarian mission, providing critically important assistance to civilian population, which is increasingly in need of support.
"We are faced with increased concerns for civilian protection, as humanitarian needs are growing rapidly. At the same time, despite the decrease in our presence in gas, we will continue to work to support those who need the most needed," - said in the statement of Stephen Duzarrick, a representative of the UN Secretary of State.
Despite the reduction of staff, the UN continues to actively work in gas, providing humanitarian assistance, including the supply of medicines, food, water and shelter for victims of hostilities. Given numerous infrastructure destruction and restricted access to major resources, humanitarian organizations play a critical role in ensuring the survival of the local population.
According to the UN representatives, the delivery of humanitarian aid to the gas sector since the beginning of March has been significantly complicated due to the restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities, as well as due to the deterioration of the security situation on the spot. At the same time, the organization continues to do everything possible to deliver assistance, even in the most difficult conditions.
Already, the international community is concerned about the growth of victims among civilians and humanitarian organizations, as well as because of violations of international humanitarian law. Representatives of different countries and international organizations call for immediate termination of violence and finding ways to achieve a peaceful resolution of conflict.
The UN also stated the need for immediate investigation of the events that led to the death of employees of the organization and called for safety guarantees for humanitarian workers in the region.
Reducing the UN staff in GAZ is a difficult step, but at the same time it allows to maintain the ability to assist the most vulnerable groups of the population. With the reduction of staff, there are additional difficulties in coordinating humanitarian operations, but the UN is doing everything possible to provide continuous assistance and maintain their missions on the spot.
Against the backdrop of these events, the issues of civilian protection and humanitarian aid remain extremely relevant, and the international community continues to call for a peaceful conflict in the Gaza Sector, which will save the lives and welfare of the locals.
