Mercy Malaysia urges immediate opening of all Gaza border crossings as Storm Byron brings severe flooding, threatening displaced Palestinians
KUALA LUMPUR: Mercy Malaysia has called for the immediate opening of all border crossings into Gaza as Storm Byron severely worsens the humanitarian crisis.
The storm has brought severe flooding, strong winds and freezing temperatures to the enclave.
This exacerbates the situation for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced and living in fragile tents after two years of conflict.
Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said Storm Byron is a humanitarian emergency within an already catastrophic situation.
“Millions of Palestinians have endured months of displacement, hunger and insecurity,” he said.
“The flooding caused by this storm now threatens the little shelter they have left.”
He warned that without immediate, unrestricted humanitarian access, preventable deaths could occur on a massive scale.
The organisation stressed border crossings must be opened without delay under international humanitarian law.
This is to enable the flow of shelter materials, medical supplies, fuel, water and sanitation equipment.
“Humanitarian personnel must be granted full, safe and unimpeded access,” the statement added.
It called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians seeking aid.
The international community must exert collective pressure to uphold these obligations, it said.
More than 850,000 Palestinians across 761 displacement sites now face acute flooding risks.
Previous storms have already contaminated shelters with sewage and swept away temporary dwellings.
Mercy Malaysia said the lack of adequate shelter is due to heavy entry restrictions on essential relief items.
Only 40,000 tents have been allowed into Gaza compared with the 300,000 needed.
Critical tools and materials to repair water and sewage systems have also been severely limited.
Reports indicate more than 288,000 families are currently without shelter.
Intense rainfall is expected to continue, forcing many into unstable, damaged buildings at risk of collapse. – Bernama
