By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Max Gaylard has witnessed at first hand the worsening economic and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip under Israeli siege.
Gaylard met Tuesday with Gaza Governor Mohammad Al-Qudwa, Khan Younis Governor Osama Al-Farra and Governor of the Strip’s central area Ismael Abu Shamala.
The governors stressed, according to a press release distributed here, on the importance of UN role in supporting the Palestinian cause from the humanitarian aspects.
They said they presented Gaylard with information on the difficult living conditions in Gaza due to the siege imposed for over a year, adding that Palestinians lack even the essential necessities and many of them have lost their jobs.
Some 3,900 factories were shut down and medicine and medical equipment became scarce, they noted.
The governors called on the UN official to stress to the international community the disastrous effects of the siege, pointing out that all the main construction projects were halted in the Strip due to the soaring prices of construction materials.
The environment was negatively affected and diseases had spread as municipalities are not able to function and dispose of rubbish and the sea is polluted because effluents from the sewage system could no longer be treated, they said.
The release quoted Gaylard as saying that he understands the situation in the Gaza Strip and promised to call on the international bodies to work on ending the siege.
He said that he supports the efforts of the Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas in reaching a national conciliation and lasting peace with Israel.
He stressed that the UN opposes the siege on Gaza and will discuss the issue during the next monthly meeting of the UN Security Council.