UN warns of increase in diseases among displaced in Gaza

At least 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza are target to a dangerous and significant spread of infectious diseases, Xinhua reported on Saturday.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) nearly 80 percent of Gaza’s population has become internally displaced.

Among these populations, there is a notable increase in certain diseases, like diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, skin inflammation, and hygiene-related conditions.

According the OCHA, this has been recorded due to the overcrowding and poor health conditions in UN shelters.

Also, due to a limited space in shelters in the south, most of the displaced men and older boys are compelled to stay outdoors, in schoolyards, or on the streets, next to the exterior walls of the shelters.

Hunger is also a primary reason for massive displacement of Palestinians, as Gazans in the north had not received any food assistance for weeks.