HUMANITARIAN WORKERS MUST BE PROTECTED

Last Wednesday, an explosive device reached the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) accommodation in Deir al Balah, Gaza.

The device detonated inside the building, killing one UNOPS employee and wounding at least five other UN staff members, several of whom are seriously injured. Days earlier, on 16 March, attacks killed eight workers and a journalist in northern Gaza. Since October 2023, more than 369 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The strike on the UNOPS accommodation occurred barely a day after the resumption of hostilities in Gaza. Areas that had been ‘deconflicted’, such as the UNOPS accommodation, were also attacked, gravely endangering the lives of civilians and humanitarian personnel.

“The provision of aid within Gaza yet again faces significant challenges due to serious concerns about the protection and safety of humanitarian staff and civilians. The targeting of civilians, health care and humanitarian professionals, as well as essential civilian infrastructure, is a grave violation of international law,” expressed Jean-Raphael Poitou, Action Against Hunger’s Head of Advocacy in the Middle East.

“It is like being back at square one, but worse,” said Jean-Raphael Poitou. “Over 70% of Gaza’s essential civilian infrastructure, including roads, homes, hospitals, and schools, are now damaged or destroyed. Over 68% of cropland is destroyed. Neighborhoods are rubble.”

“Action Against Hunger reminds the international community, in the strongest of terms, that we cannot return to the living conditions and to the humanitarian service provision before the ceasefire,” said Jean-Raphael Poitou. “We are forced to call for it once more: An immediate and permanent ceasefire is the only way forward.”

Action Against Hunger has been working in the occupied Palestinian territories since 2002, and in the Gaza Strip since 2005. Since October 2023, our staff have responded to the ongoing crisis by providing over 1.1 million people with food, water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition interventions.