Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita anywhere in the world, said Louise Wateridge, a senior emergency officer with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Speaking to reporters in Geneva from Central Gaza on Friday, Wateridge described the dire situation in Gaza hospitals.
"Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita anywhere in the world. Many are losing their limbs. And in scenarios such as this, they're undergoing surgeries without anaesthesia. I spoke to doctors at the Nasser Hospital. This is the largest, semi-functioning, hospital in the Gaza Strip now. And they're absolutely beside themselves," Wateridge said.
According to UNRWA, nearly 26,000 people have suffered life-changing injuries in the last 14 months. As of May 2024, more than 20 percent of households in Gaza reported having at least one disabled family member, with 58,000 disabled individuals registered with the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
Wateridge also expressed grave concern about widespread food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza.
"It's been 14 months. People here really are surviving on bread, lentils, food in tin cans. We're not seeing fruit and vegetables around. We're not seeing people with families, children get the nutrients that they need in terms of fruit and vegetables. And this is also having a huge effect on the on the health of the population. In the past four months alone, nearly 19,000 children were hospitalized due to acute malnourishment," Wateridge said.
Gaza suffers highest per capita child amputee rate globally: UNRWA official
Gaza suffers highest per capita child amputee rate globally: UNRWA official
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
