Dear Respected Representatives of International and UN Organizations,
The Gaza Strip is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. For over seven weeks, the Israeli occupation has enforced a total blockade, sealed all border crossings and halted the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report dated April 15, 2025[1], this marks the most severe deterioration in the humanitarian situation since the escalation in October 2023. Over 95% of relief operations have been suspended, and the flow of food, medicine, fuel, and medical supplies has come to a complete halt[2].
Amid this deepening crisis, the elderly population stands among the most vulnerable. Many suffer from physical disabilities, chronic illnesses and mobility limitations, requiring continuous medical care, psychological and social support and basic hygiene supplies. Their plight is further compounded by the depletion of essential supplies in the local markets, particularly adult diapers - a critical necessity for preserving their health, hygiene and dignity.
Without these essential supplies, elderly individuals face sever health risks, including infections and life-threatening complications, exacerbated by the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system and the absence of adequate care.
As members of the Rehabilitation Sector of the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) and the Disability Working Group (DWG), we urgently appeal to your organizations to:
- Immediate Intervention: Facilitate the provision of adult diapers from emergency stockpiles.
- Humanitarian Access: Pressure the occupying power to lift the blockade unconditionally, ensuring the unimpeded flow of aid into Gaza.
- Accountability: Uphold international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians from starvation and medical deprivation.
The international community must act now to fulfill its legal and moral obligations. Failure to protect Gaza’s elderly - a group already marginalized by conflict -would constitute a grave moral failure. We emphasize the urgency of intervention to avert further loss of life.
Rehabilitation Sector – Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO)& Disability Working Group
