Austrian NGO reports severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza with food, water shortages and disease risks

Austrian-based NGO Initiative Christian Orient has raised urgent concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing the conditions as “unbearable.” The organization highlighted severe shortages of food and clean water, which have created a dire risk of disease outbreaks among the civilian population.

Partnering with Caritas Jerusalem, the NGO reported that aid deliveries, including powdered milk for infants and toddlers, food, and hygiene supplies, are only occasionally possible due to the ongoing crisis. These efforts are hampered by the extreme challenges faced by aid workers operating on the ground.

Reports from Caritas Jerusalem indicate that medical professionals are increasingly worried about the spread of serious diseases. Some have even warned of the potential resurgence of plague, underscoring the gravity of the health crisis. The lack of basic necessities has created an environment where disease can spread rapidly.

In addition to food shortages, the report emphasized a severe lack of safe drinking water. This scarcity has particularly devastating effects on children, who are often the most vulnerable. The NGO described the living conditions in Gaza as unimaginable, with many residents forced to endure extreme hardship.

The NGO cited Harout Bedrossian, deputy secretary-general of Caritas Jerusalem, who noted that uncollected trash and debris have created ideal breeding grounds for insects, rats, and pathogens. Flies transmit hepatitis A and severe diarrheal diseases, while rats and mice spread deadly infections through various means, including bites and feces.

Gaza’s water infrastructure has been largely destroyed, with pipelines, wells, and desalination facilities in ruins. Residents are forced to travel long distances to access drinking water, often finding it unsafe for consumption. Despite these challenges, people have few alternatives, and the health consequences are already becoming evident.

Aid organizations, including Caritas Jerusalem’s medical teams, have documented a rise in cases of diarrhea and hepatitis A, particularly among displaced families living in overcrowded shelters with inadequate sanitation. These reports highlight the urgent need for international support to address the humanitarian crisis.

Source: Read the original report