In the past three months, a third of the Gaza population (714,000 people) has been forced to move once again, separating families and driving local support systems.
Women and girls wear a heavy burden, fearing their lives on the street – at delivery points and overcrowded makeshift shelters that lack intimacy and safety – like many sleep outdoors.
“Women have suffered an immense loss, including the death or imprisonment of parents. In search of water, living without intimacy and constantly worrying – it is exhausting, “said a worker from Unfpa.
Many young girls are also pushed into child labor and have forced marriage in efforts to deal with devastating hunger.
Suhair who works in a safe space for women and daughters of the central governorate of Deir El-Balah de Gaza.
Safe spaces in large demand
In response to this crisis on Wednesday, the UNFPA reported a strong increase in victims asking for help in their safe spaces, which provide shelter and psychological support.
However, according to women who work there – many of whom are also moved, the conditions are extremely difficult, and there are far too few facilities for the number of women and children in need, which makes it difficult to reach the most at risk.
For example, travel commands disturbed the services and have lost essential equipment and files, forcing them to restart operations from zero.
Even if the staff receives mistreatment accounts, incidents remain largely under-declared due to the stigma, fear of reprisals and the collapse of health and justice systems.
“Despite all the difficulties, I continue to support women and abused girls,” Asmaa said, who works in a safe space supported by the UNFPA in Gaza and has been moved ten times since the war.
Severe and fuel fuel intake
Fuel shortages are paralyzing critical infrastructure across Gaza. The UN has warned that humanitarian operations can collapse entirely and that 80% of health establishments should lack fuel in the coming days.
While the UNFPA tries to switch to a remote support, the fuel shortages have sparked telecommunications breakdowns, cut the hotlines of survivor and rendered a largely inaccessible distance assistance.
Since the blockade was imposed on March 7, no agency supply has entered Gaza, leaving essential items such as severely exhausted menstrual hygiene kits.
Due to these shortages, three UNFPA safe spaces have closed, while the other 14 operate at a very limited capacity.
Despite the many challenges, the reproductive health agency and its cases continue to do their best to help women and girls. “We feel the urgent needs of women and recognize the importance of supporting them. A little effort can make a big difference in their lives, ”said a social worker.
Salma, on the left, is the mother of four children and manager of sex -based violence in Khan Younis.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
