There is only one toilet for every 486 people, and only one of the three water pipelines between Israel and Gaza is operational, according to estimates from the UN agency for Palestine.
UNICEF communications specialist Tess Ingram claims that babies are being “delivered into hell” without their mothers having even the slightest anesthetic.
In Rafah, south of the strip, a tent “city” spanning nearly two square miles has been established to house the more than 1.9 million displaced Gazans since October 7.
Food and medical supplies, such as tampons, sanitary towels, and contraceptive pills that may cause periods to stop or delay, are not permitted to enter the territory.
“Imagine having to manage your period without period products, toilet paper or soap, and no chance of being able to wash yourself,” stated Bethlehem-based ActionAid worker Riham Jafari.
“Hundreds of thousands of women and girls in Gaza are currently living this reality.
“It is unhealthy for some women to cut portions of towels to use during their periods.
“They are utilizing fibers or portions of the tents. Some of them are using their extra clothes as pads, and they cut off a portion of it for that purpose.”
When unclean materials are used to make sanitary products, there is a chance of infection and even fatal toxic shock syndrome.
Ms. Ingram went on to say: “Seeing newborn babies suffer while some mothers bleed to death should keep us all awake at night.”
The health ministry, which is run by Hamas, estimates that over 70% of the 25,000 people who have died in Gaza since October 7th are women and girls.
