{"id":5254,"date":"2025-06-30T19:06:39","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T19:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254"},"modified":"2025-06-30T19:06:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T19:06:39","slug":"gaza-teeters-on-man-made-drought-unicef-warns-children-face-death-without-fuel-for-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254","title":{"rendered":"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water."},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geneva:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) has issued its most urgent warning yet on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that a deepening fuel blockade is pushing the population, especially children, toward death by thirst. Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder<\/strong> painted a grim picture of a \u201cman-made drought\u201d that could collapse the water and health infrastructure in days without immediate political action.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a war already defined by its brutality, Gaza now teeters at its deadliest edge,\u201d Elder said, pointing to the devastating impact of the over 100-day blockade<\/strong> on fuel entering Gaza. According to UNICEF, only 40% of Gaza\u2019s drinking water facilities<\/strong> remain operational. Without fuel, none will be functional within weeks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The fuel shortage, exacerbated since the complete power cut following the October 7, 2023 attacks<\/strong>, has crippled essential services, particularly water production, treatment, and distribution to over two million Palestinians<\/strong>. Elder emphasized that this crisis is entirely preventable<\/strong>, stating, \u201cNone of these problems are logistical or technical. They are political.\u201d<\/p>\n

Water Crisis Reaching Breaking Point<\/h3>\n

The UNICEF report describes a desperate situation: desalination plants operating at minimal capacity, groundwater pumps at risk of shutdown, and donkeys replacing water trucks<\/strong> as transport collapses. \u201cA truck carries 15,000 litres of water. A donkey cart? Just 500,\u201d Elder noted. \u201cEven the donkeys are slowing \u2013 there\u2019s barely enough food to keep them moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

The consequences are severe and wide-ranging. Without fuel, sewage systems are backing up<\/strong>, contaminating makeshift shelters and raising fears of infectious disease outbreaks<\/strong> such as hepatitis A and E. UNICEF warned that suspected cases are already being reported<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Nutrition and Health on the Brink<\/h3>\n

Water scarcity is also fueling a malnutrition crisis<\/strong>. Between April and May, UNICEF recorded a 50% increase<\/strong> in children aged 6 months to 5 years being treated for acute malnutrition<\/strong>. More than 110 children are admitted every day<\/strong> for treatment, as water and food shortages create a deadly feedback loop.<\/p>\n

UNICEF stressed that fuel is the thread<\/strong> holding together what remains of Gaza\u2019s shattered health system. Without it:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Hospital generators<\/strong> will cease functioning.<\/li>\n
  • Oxygen production and life-support systems<\/strong> will shut down.<\/li>\n
  • Ambulances won\u2019t run<\/strong>, and incubators will go dark<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cThis is not just a water crisis. It\u2019s a healthcare crisis, a sanitation crisis, a survival crisis,\u201d Elder said.<\/p>\n

    “A War on Children”<\/h3>\n

    Elder condemned the international community’s inaction, calling this Gaza\u2019s most critical moment<\/strong> since the conflict began. \u201cA virtual blockade is in place; humanitarian aid is being sidelined; the daily killing of girls and boys does not register,\u201d he said. \u201cNow, a deliberate fuel crisis is severing Palestinians from their most essential element for survival: water.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Elder recounted conversations with Gazans to underscore the gravity of the situation:
    \n\u201c\u2018We have learnt to live without so much\u2026 but we cannot survive days without water,\u2019\u201d a friend told him.<\/p>\n

    UNICEF\u2019s Appeal<\/h3>\n

    UNICEF is calling for the immediate lifting of the fuel blockade<\/strong> and unhindered humanitarian access<\/strong>. The agency warns that without urgent political will<\/strong>, the collapse of Gaza\u2019s water systems will become irreversible \u2014 resulting in mass dehydration, disease outbreaks, and increased child mortality<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    In conclusion, UNICEF reiterated that this crisis is man-made and preventable<\/strong>. \u201cIt can be stopped overnight,\u201d said Elder. \u201cBut time is running out.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water.\u00a0   Geneva:   The United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) has issued […]<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5],"tags":[1566],"class_list":["post-5254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-latest-news","category-world-news","tag-gazawatercrisis-manmadedrought-unicefwarns-fuelforlife-savegazachildren-waterislife-lifttheblockade-humanitariancrisis-stopthesuffering-actforgaza"],"yoast_head":"\n\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water. - The Eagle News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water. - The Eagle News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water.\u00a0   Geneva:   The United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) has issued […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Eagle News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-30T19:06:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254\",\"name\":\"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water. - The Eagle News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-30T19:06:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-30T19:06:39+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#\/schema\/person\/836b23196d8cf2a3340a0b6adb2d2cf4\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/\",\"name\":\"The Eagle News\",\"description\":\"Eagle News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#\/schema\/person\/836b23196d8cf2a3340a0b6adb2d2cf4\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b3813785621535057fd2f3870ecafe9dc3e7307140c68da3e0427080f45c50e6?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b3813785621535057fd2f3870ecafe9dc3e7307140c68da3e0427080f45c50e6?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/theeaglenews.in\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water. - The Eagle News","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water. - The Eagle News","og_description":"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water.\u00a0   Geneva:   The United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) has issued […]","og_url":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254","og_site_name":"The Eagle News","article_published_time":"2025-06-30T19:06:39+00:00","author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254","url":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254","name":"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water. - The Eagle News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#website"},"datePublished":"2025-06-30T19:06:39+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-30T19:06:39+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#\/schema\/person\/836b23196d8cf2a3340a0b6adb2d2cf4"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=5254#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\u201cGaza Teeters on Man-Made Drought\u201d: UNICEF Warns Children Face Death Without Fuel for Water."}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#website","url":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/","name":"The Eagle News","description":"Eagle News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#\/schema\/person\/836b23196d8cf2a3340a0b6adb2d2cf4","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b3813785621535057fd2f3870ecafe9dc3e7307140c68da3e0427080f45c50e6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b3813785621535057fd2f3870ecafe9dc3e7307140c68da3e0427080f45c50e6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/theeaglenews.in"],"url":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5254"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5255,"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5254\/revisions\/5255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}