Desperation leads Gaza residents to risk deadly hazards for basic goods

More than half of surveyed Gaza residents report scavenging through rubble for basic necessities, including children’s clothing, despite the significant risk posed by unexploded ordnance. A report by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Killing Long After They Fall, outlines the dire conditions faced by civilians in the region.

The report highlights that 70% of Gaza residents have returned to areas of active combat to search for essential items, exposing themselves to explosive remnants of war.

These remnants, scattered throughout conflict zones, present a persistent danger to those navigating destroyed neighbourhoods.

The ongoing blockade and dwindling humanitarian aid exacerbate these risks. Over the past six weeks, aid deliveries have dropped to an average of 40 trucks per day, compared to 500 trucks before the current military invasion. The entry of commercial goods has been similarly curtailed, with only two trucks allowed daily. This severe reduction in resources leaves many with no choice but to risk their lives.

Lilu Thapa, Executive Regional Director for the Middle East at DRC, explained the dual threats faced by Gaza residents. “People in Gaza are risking their lives just to put clothes on their children's backs. They face threats from every direction, the threat of starvation due to an almost total blockade of aid and goods, the constant risk of bombs and bullets, and the ever-present danger of unexploded ordnance, a threat that will stay long after the fighting subsides.”

Explosive remnants of war have been widely used in civilian areas, which the DRC notes is a violation of International Humanitarian Law. These hazards continue to kill and injure civilians even after the fighting moves on.

The DRC report includes harrowing data about the consequences of explosive ordnance. Among those surveyed, 58% admitted to searching through debris for essential goods, even while aware of the dangers. Many families reported scavenging for personal belongings or basic supplies, such as clothing and firewood.

Nearly a quarter of respondents knew someone injured or killed by explosive ordnance. Reported incidents include children mistaking unexploded devices for toys, civilians encountering explosives while returning to their homes, and individuals picking up devices unknowingly in piles of firewood.

The report also highlights critical failures in emergency response and healthcare. Only 19% of those injured by explosive ordnance received emergency first aid. Access to long-term medical support is even more limited, with only 6% receiving physical therapy and 1% receiving mental health services. The destruction of health infrastructure, combined with blocked roads and ongoing hostilities, has left most victims without adequate care.

The dangers posed by unexploded ordnance are compounded by the acute shortage of resources in Gaza. Families face a grim choice between risking deadly hazards or going without basic goods. The findings underline the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid and the clearance of explosive remnants to prevent further loss of life.

HT