UNICEF: Vital Facilities Run Out Of Fuel If SALom And Rafah Brake Crosses Are Closed

JAKARTA - UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Head Catherine Russel issued a stern warning regarding vital facilities that are running out of fuel in the Gaza Strip and threaten support services for premature babies.

"If the Merem Shallom and Rafah crossings are not reopened for fuel and humanitarian supplies, the consequences will soon be felt: life support services for premature babies will lose energy; children and families will become dehydrated or consume harmful water; waste will overflow and spread further disease," Russel said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, May 10.

Russel stressed that delays can result in loss of life and request that it be immediately carried out (reopening the crossing).

"Like this, more time is wasted, more lives will be lost," he continued.

He stressed that important facilities such as hospitals, major health care centers, water desalination machines, waste pumps, and waste collection systems are at risk of running out of fuel in a matter of days, even hours.

Russel called on the relevant authorities to take swift and decisive action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

"I strongly urge the relevant authorities to take action that can be followed up and concrete guarantees to humanitarian actors to provide safe and secure humanitarian cargo movements, through all routes, into and within the Gaza Strip," he said.