Tuesday 12 May 2009

Holmes: Life-saving aid to Gaza should not be linked to political agendas


Holmes: Life-saving aid to Gaza should not be linked to political agendas

[ 12/05/2009 - 09:58 AM ]


GAZA, (PIC)-- John Holmes, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, on Monday stressed the need to separate between life-saving aid and reconstruction needs on one hand and any political or security agendas on the other hand so as to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

In a press statement received by the PIC, Holmes said that in spite of the funds pledged by some donor countries for humanitarian relief operations and reconstruction in Gaza, the reality on the ground proves that the flow of goods do not fit at all the level of needs in Gaza and the process of reconstruction is practically elusive.

The UN official, who visited Gaza twice before, noted that about 75 percent of Gaza people need different kinds of assistance, adding that Israel imposes tight restrictions on the basic imports into Gaza and a total ban on reconstruction materials.

He underlined that the Israeli ban on exports, except some truckloads of flowers, exacerbated the situation and annihilated many industries that provide jobs to Gaza people.

The official also highlighted that Israel believes that the destruction of hundreds of thousands of lives and livelihood means are the collective price that must be paid by all Gaza people.

In another context, the pharmacy administration in the Palestinian health ministry warned that the number of medicines depleted from its warehouses increased to 65 items while the medical needs to 95 percent.

The ministry called, in a statement received by the PIC, for opening the crossings and allowing in medicines and medical needs in order to be able to save the lives of dozens of patients.

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