OCHA

Statement on Gaza by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza

Nearly 300 million people globally need humanitarian assistance and protection

At the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), we bring the world together to tackle humanitarian emergencies and save the lives of people caught in crises.

Current responses

On 18 February, 2024, OCHA along with the World Health Organization were allowed to go inside Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza to assess the patients. Fourteen critically ill patients were evacuated. Two patients needed continuous manual ventilation throughout their journey. OCHA

Occupied Palestinian Territory

The Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) faces a protracted political crisis characterized by more than 55 years of Israeli military occupation, internal Pal

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May 26, 2024, Rafah: A staff member from the UNRWA Health Team at the Tel Al-Sultan Health Center in Rafah area conducts a medical examination for a displaced child.© 2024 UNRWA Photo by Mohammed Hinnawi

We coordinate

During an emergency, at the request of the affected country’s Government, we coordinate the flurry of response efforts to ensure they reach the people most in need.

Deputy Humanitarian Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya speaks at the side event on "Underfunding and the Cost of Inaction." Photo: OCHA/Paolo Palmero

Through our public and private advocacy, we raise awareness of humanitarian crises and the needs of affected people. We advocate for the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law.