500,000 people could be left without food and drinking water if there is no increase in humanitarian aid, UN spokesperson tells CNN

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees only has enough fuel to operate until Wednesday (25) if new supplies do not reach the Gaza Strip.

Without energy, the food and water supply for half a million people will be drastically affected. The statement was made by Juliette Touma, spokesperson for the UN agency, in an exclusive interview with CNN about the conflict in Israel.

“The convoy that arrived with aid is a very small number of trucks, if we compare it to the real needs in the Gaza Strip. We will close our operations on Wednesday if the fuel does not arrive, affecting the lives of pregnant women, children, civilians, people like us,” said Juliette.

According to her, 140 shelters are being used in Gaza following a massive exodus of people from their homes. Schools and clinics have become homes for Palestinians affected by the conflict, and the UN agency is responsible for providing bread and drinking water.

“Without fuel, the bakery won’t work. We will not be able to deliver the basics of dignity to these people, nor will water for personal hygiene be possible without urgent humanitarian aid”, appealed the spokesperson.

So far, 29 employees of the UN agency for Palestine have lost their lives in the conflict – half of them, according to Juliette Touma, were teachers at one of the 180 schools maintained by the organization.

“The only way to get out of this chaos is an immediate ceasefire, as advocated by the UN. And until then, a humanitarian supply line is needed to guarantee the functioning of organizations operating in the region.”

Role of Brazil

The presence of Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Egypt this weekend, combined with Brazil’s efforts at the UN Security Council to approve a resolution against the conflict, give significant weight to the country in the search for a solution to the conflict.

“Brazil’s role is very important and the UN needs to thank the country for its effort to defend humanitarian aid and a way out of this war. The country contributes to the agency’s funding and is aware of the issue of the lack of fuel in Gaza and the impact on people’s lives”, he summarized.

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