UN: Palestinians at health risk as fuel funding runs out
(VOVWORLD) - The UN humanitarian affairs office said on Tuesday it is running out of funds for an emergency fuel program for 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, including 2,000 in hospitals who need electricity for life-saving devices.
Spokesperson Eri Kaneko of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said at a press conference at UN headquarters that 4.5 million USD is needed to continue the operation, adding that fuel for back-up generators in Gaza has been exhausted and only two-thirds of the regular 950,000 liters of fuel will be distributed to 231 critical health and water sanitation facilities in August.
At least 127 Palestinians have died and 14,000 have been injured in protests in Gaza since late March.