UN official describes scenes in Gaza as resembling ‘a dystopian film’
"In Gaza, I was not fully prepared for what I saw - one cannot be. The sheer extent of the devastation looked like the set of a dystopian film," UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Executive Director Andrew Saberton said at a press briefing on the condition of women and girls in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
"There is no other way to put it: Gaza has been flattened. Mile upon mile of rubble and dust, with few buildings left intact. I cannot unsee what I have seen," he added.
Saberton said the conflict has taken a heavy toll on UNFPA’s own staff, noting that "every single UNFPA staff member in the Gaza office has experienced the death or multiple deaths of relatives, and almost all have had their or their families' homes destroyed. And yet they have turned up every day for two years, no escape, no time off."
He described the daily hardships faced by women, saying many lack access to essential hygiene items during menstruation, while displaced families are sheltering "in half-destroyed buildings, or ragtag tents by the side of the road."
According to Saberton, the hunger crisis in Gaza is particularly devastating for mothers and infants. "One in four people is starving. That includes 11,500 pregnant women for whom starvation is particularly catastrophic," he said, adding that "premature and low-birth weight babies now make up around 70% of newborns, and one in three pregnancies is high risk."
With "94% of hospitals in Gaza damaged or destroyed," Saberton said maternal deaths are rising because "the drugs that could save mothers are no longer available."
He said the recent ceasefire had briefly raised hopes, but renewed hostilities quickly erased them. "The ceasefire brought us a glimmer of hope, but just days later, renewed attacks are plunging families back into terror," he said, calling for a permanent ceasefire to allow for long-term recovery.
Saberton warned that aid entering Gaza remains far below what is needed. "We need all crossings to be opened, impediments to be removed, and full, safe and sustained humanitarian access to bring aid to all women and girls in Gaza, in both the south and north," he urged.
Emphasizing the importance of rebuilding health services and addressing psychological trauma, he noted that Gaza’s youth are facing severe mental health consequences. "This is particularly important for Gaza's youth, 70% of whom are suffering from depression and anxiety," he said, warning that "over 50% of the youth, and approximately 40% of the adults, are anticipated to be suffering from post-traumatic stress. This (recovery) is going to take generations."
Turning to the West Bank, Saberton said that movement restrictions have hindered access to medical care for "an estimated 73,000 pregnant women." He described life there as being "ringed by barriers and checkpoints, which dominate every aspect of life–restricting movements, plans and aspirations for women and youth."
"The world can no longer afford to turn away. Not from Gaza. Not from the West Bank," he concluded. "True peace must guarantee safety, support and agency for every woman and girl to heal and to live their lives in dignity."
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
