The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, "UNRWA", opened today, Wednesday, a number of its schools to treat respiratory patients separately from its clinics in order to preserve health and prevent the spread of the Corona virus.
Adnan Abu Hasna, UNRWA´s media advisor, said that 17 schools in the Gaza Strip have been devoted solely to treating chest and respiratory patients away from other diseases in which treatment is still ongoing for children and pregnant women and those suffering from diabetes, blood pressure and others.
Abu Hasna said in an interview with a number of journalists, including the correspondent of "Al-Quds" dot com, that this step was taken to maintain public health, and as a preventive measure within the measures taken to confront the emerging Corona virus.
He pointed out that UNRWA had blocked about 280,000 students two weeks ago, from 276 schools, as a precautionary measure to face the threat of this virus, noting that the Agency distributed leaflets and provided awareness lessons to students and its local staff, as part of procedures to be taken in coordination with the local community.
He pointed out that UNRWA launched a distress call to provide an amount of $ 14 million, to confront the Corona virus in the five areas of UNRWA and not only Palestine, indicating that the situation in Gaza is dangerous due to the collapse of the health sector, which is the sector most affected by the blockade on Gaza.
He explained that all the measures taken by UNRWA are very important to prevent a disaster and record injuries in Gaza.
He pointed out that UNRWA essentially suffers from a financial deficit, and needs $ 1.4 billion for education, health and relief programs for all of its five areas of operation, noting that their pledges reached 299 million, and practically only $ 150 million.
He said: "If our conditions do not improve until the end of next month, and more support is provided, we will take harsh measures."
He pointed out that efforts are being made to obtain the necessary financing, especially in light of the Corona crisis and the growing difficult situation, noting that UNRWA needs funding to purchase equipment, materials and medicines, and to increase the crews working on the ground.
He expressed the hope that the international community would respond to the emergency distress call.
