Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), has raised alarm over the growing disability crisis in Gaza, describing the region as a "pandemic of disabilities."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lazzarini revealed grim statistics: “Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world.” He highlighted the pre-war prevalence of disabilities, noting that prior to the conflict, one in five families surveyed in Gaza had at least one person with disabilities, nearly half of whom were children.

The ongoing war has exacerbated the plight of people with special needs, who, according to Lazzarini, “have suffered in silence.” He lamented the lack of attention to their stories, adding that the conflict has caused a surge in traumatic injuries with no access to rehabilitation services.

“Now, Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world — many losing limbs and undergoing surgeries without even anesthesia,” he stated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has echoed these concerns, estimating that one in four people injured during the war have sustained life-changing injuries that will require extensive rehabilitation. These include amputations and spinal cord injuries, with no adequate services available to address their needs.

Lazzarini’s stark warnings underscore the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the health system is crumbling under the weight of war, leaving many without critical care. (ILKHA)