Switzerland criticizes hunger in the Gaza Strip in the UN Security Council
Published: Saturday, Dec 30th 2023, 00:00
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Switzerland, together with Brazil, issued a statement on "acute food insecurity" in the Gaza Strip at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday. "Over 500,000 people are affected by a catastrophic hunger situation," it said.
Almost two million people were either not getting enough to eat or only the bare minimum, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) announced on its blog. The latter would have to sell their belongings. Practically all households had to skip meals. Overall, over 90 percent of the population is affected by food insecurity. Moreover, the food situation is not expected to improve until February. The severity of the situation is unprecedented in the recent past.
According to the statement, Switzerland and Brazil welcomed the humanitarian aid provided so far. However, it was too little. They insisted on the resumption of commercial goods transportation to the Gaza Strip. "It is crucial that the commercial and public sectors resume their activities in Gaza, including agriculture, so that the markets can restock their shelves." The two countries also called for improved humanitarian access and steps towards a sustainable end to hostilities between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The Security Council, of which Switzerland was a non-permanent member this year, met in this composition for the last time on Friday. The emergency meeting took place at the request of the United Arab Emirates. According to the FDFA, Switzerland emphasized that respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, the protection of the civilian population and the release of all hostages in the Gaza Strip must remain priorities of the UN Security Council. The ongoing violence in the region also jeopardizes the two-state solution supported by Switzerland.
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