UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher told the Security Council last week that movement requires navigating an obstacle course of coordination with Israeli forces, through active hostilities, traveling on damaged roads, and often being forced to wait at holding points or pass through areas controlled by criminal gangs.
“All too often, civilians approaching UN trucks are shot at,” OCHA said. “Collecting supplies safely requires reliable assurances that troops would not engage or be present along convoy routes.”
Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon, speaking at the Security Council, announced restrictive measures against OCHA staff.
Israel will no longer grant automatic visas to OCHA’s international staff. Visas will now be limited to one-month terms, said Danon.
Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that any punitive measures will only add to the obstacles preventing humanitarians from reaching people facing hunger, displacement and deprivation.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 