Queen Rania meets with UNICEF for update on children of Gaza

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met with senior representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in her offices in Amman on Monday to discuss the devastating impact on children of the Israeli war on Gaza, which is expected to have long-term negative repercussions on the lives of children and young people for generations to come.

In her capacity as UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Children, Queen Rania was briefed on the unprecedented levels of violence and grave child-rights violations by Deputy Executive Director of Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations Ted Chaiban; UNICEF Regional Director Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr and UNICEF Representative to Jordan Philippe Duamelle according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.

During the meeting, Chaiban underscored the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for all access crossings into Gaza to be opened for a safe, sustained and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid, including water, food, medical supplies, and fuel. He also called for urgent medical cases in Gaza to be allowed to leave or to be able to receive critical health services, and for respect and protection for civilian infrastructure in line with international humanitarian law. 

Over the past three weeks, UNICEF has been providing water to one million people in Gaza; however, it has only been able to provide each with less than three liters of water per day, compared with its typical standard of a minimum of 15 litres per day. Chaiban explained that the lack of water and food, coupled with overcrowding, are very concerning due the risk of the spread of water-borne diseases, such as cholera.

The organisation has also transported approximately 20 trucks through the Rafah Crossing carrying emergency medical supplies, bottled water, and sanitary and hygiene supplies, among other emergency items. 

Chaiban told Her Majesty that UNICEF is trying to increase the number of trucks transporting aid into Gaza per day, stressing that “the UN has said that 100 trucks are needed to go in daily in order to sustain humanitarian efforts and operations.” He added that UNICEF will continue to support children in Gaza, and is working hard to establish humanitarian corridors for critical aid.