Gaza: Evacuation orders from Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis continue to lead to “inhumane” forced displacement
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Thousands of people in Gaza, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) staff members, are fleeing to different areas in Al-Mawasi after Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis on August 21.
Between 1 July and 21 August, at least 16 evacuation orders have been issued by Israeli forces in Gaza. An estimated 213,000 Palestinians have been affected from the beginning of August to 16 August and nearly 2 million people—over 85% of the entire population of Gaza—has been displaced by this war, often multiple times, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Many are now sheltering in the coastal Al Mawasi area (Khan Younis and Deir Al Balah), where people shelter in overcrowded tents, without proper access to water, food and access to health care.
“The continuous forced displacement of people is inhumane,” says MSF project coordinator Jacob Granger. “People have no belongings left, nowhere left to go. There is no room to put tents up. The overcrowding, severe lack of water, and minimal sanitation services are fueling the spread of diseases. We are unable to keep up with the overwhelming needs.
“Diseases are thriving due to shrinking living space and lack of water and hygiene products". “We are seeing an increase in skin conditions such as scabies—most linked to the lack of water and hygiene products like soap,” says Julie Faucon, MSF medical coordinator. “With the constant bombardments forcing people to seek shelter in a shrinking space, conditions are worsening and diseases will continue to spread, impacting the most vulnerable, such as children.”
“My family and I are dismantling the tent and packing our things [to move],” says Khamis Amir, an MSF radio operator who was displaced by August 21 evacuation order. “My children are gathering their toys and belongings so they don't get lost. We don’t know where to go. When will this war end?”
An estimated 1.9 million people, 90 per cent of the population in Gaza, have been displaced – often multiple times, according to the UN. People in Gaza need an immediate and sustained ceasefire. All parties must ensure unhindered humanitarian aid to meet the immediate and urgent medical needs of people.