Share

Months needed to repair facilities in Gaza: UN

Tehran - United Nations humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said on Sunday on a visit to Iran that it will take months to repair damage to the UN's infrastructure caused by the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

"Damage to hospitals, schools and UNRWA shelters where people displaced sought refuge will take months to rebuild," she said, referring to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

Amos was speaking to reporters at the start of a two-day visit for talks with Iranian officials on the humanitarian crises wreaked by conflicts in the Gaza Strip, Syria and Iraq.

"The UN response continues including deliveries of food, water and households goods. Medicines and fuel are being delivered to hospitals," she said.

A total of 97 UNRWA installations, including health and food distribution centres as well as schools, have been damaged in the war since 8 July between Israel and the Hamas movement which controls the Gaza Strip.

The conflict, in which an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire has taken effect, has killed almost 2 000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 on the Israeli side, almost all soldiers.

Amos noted the United Nations had made "strong statements" about "the violation of international humanitarian laws and human rights laws by all parties in Gaza".

Turning to Syria, she said that 11 million people were in need of humanitarian aid, including 241 000 living in areas under siege.

"Insecurity, fragmentation of armed groups and administrative obstacles imposed by the government hamper the delivery of humanitarian assistance," she said.

Amos welcomed the role played by Iran, a key ally of the Syrian government, and other countries with influence on the warring parties to gain access to conflict zones.

"This remains a work in progress because we still have substantial numbers of people that we are unable to reach," she said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 583 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 822 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.88
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.86
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.37
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE