Gaza: Condemning the inhumane living conditions in Al-Mawasi
Following successive evacuation orders, Gazan evacuees in Al-Mawasi are living in overcrowded conditions without adequate access to food, water, and other essential services.
Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni Translation:
Following the recent evacuation orders issued by the Israeli forces, residents from Deir Al-Balah and Khan Yunis were forced to seek refuge in smaller and smaller areas along the crowded coast, joining the displaced already there and facing deteriorating living conditions.
“This continued forced displacement of people is inhumane,” says Doctors Without Borders project coordinator Jacob Granger. “People no longer have any belongings, and they have nowhere to go. There is no place to pitch tents. Overcrowding, massive water shortages, and a lack of sanitation services are leading to the spread of diseases. We are unable to meet the sheer scale of needs.”
In this strip along the coast in southern Gaza, people are living crowded with many family members in dusty tents, without adequate access to food, water, and essential services such as sanitation and healthcare. They are forced to stand in line for hours to get water or use toilets, unable to wash themselves regularly.
“The living conditions are extremely difficult. Every day we see between 300 and 400 cases in the clinic, with 200 cases related to skin diseases,” explains a pediatrician at the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC). “Children are the most affected, especially by skin diseases, which are highly infectious.“
Julie Faucon, the medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, says, “We are witnessing an increase in skin diseases, such as scabies, closely linked to the lack of water and hygiene products like soap. Continuous shelling forces people to seek shelter in an ever-shrinking space, so that conditions are getting worse, and diseases will continue to spread, particularly affecting the most vulnerable groups like children.”
“At night, we often cannot go to the bathroom. Sometimes we ask my brother and father to accompany us because we have to wait for a long time in the darkness,” says Shahd Abu Samra, displaced from northern Gaza to Al Mawasi. “Life here is extremely difficult. There is a major shortage of all basic services, such as water, food, medicine, and suitable places to live.”
In Al-Mawasi, agricultural relief, supported by Doctors Without Borders, provides emergency latrines, solar-powered water pumping systems, a water treatment station, and tents. So far, more than 300 toilets have been built, including accessible latrines for physically disabled persons in the Deir al-Balah camp; three solar-powered water pumping systems have been installed; and primary healthcare has been provided to the displaced persons.
16 Evacuation Orders in Two Months:
Since July 1st, the Israeli forces have issued at least 16 evacuation orders in Gaza, affecting 213,000 Palestinians in the first half of August alone. Additionally, the Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office estimates that 86% of Gaza has been subject to evacuation orders since the war began.
The ongoing displacement people are facing has led many to lose all their belongings. Many arrive at Al Mawasi without even a plastic bag to wrap what little they have left, or even a simple bar of soap. In addition, most have been forced to flee in a hurry and at short notice, which can be especially difficult for people with disabilities, women with children, and the elderly.
“Clean water is not available, leading to the spread of diseases,” explains 24-year-old displaced mother Rasha Mesbah. “Children have rashes on their faces and bodies. All children are infected with skin conditions; there is not a single child who is not affected. In addition, they are all crowded together, making things worse.”
Doctors Without Borders is attempting to import 4,000 hygiene kits for three months to improve living conditions for residents of Al-Mawasi, but Israeli authorities have blocked the import of these products. The kits contain essential items such as soap, toothbrushes, shampoo, and washing powder. All of them, due to their scarcity, have been outrageously priced in the market, with people paying up to $40 for a simple bottle of shampoo.
Doctors Without Borders is calling for an immediate ceasefire and safe and unhindered access for personnel and supplies to enter Gaza and reach the areas most in need of aid.