Russian Deputy Foreign Ministery Sergey Vershinin met with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva on Thursday to discuss the organization's efforts to respond to emergencies, specifically the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated. 
 
“On December 14 in Geneva, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister S.V. Vershinin met with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus... The parties discussed important issues of international cooperation in healthcare, including the development of a new convention, agreement, or other international legal tool to combat pandemics, WHO efforts to respond to emergencies, in particular, the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip,” the ministry said.

This comes after Ghebreyesus expressed apprehension, on December 12, regarding the extended inspections of health convoys in the Gaza Strip and the detainment of healthcare workers in the region.

According to Reuters, Ghebreyesus noted in a social media post that a WHO-led mission to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza faced delays at a checkpoint both on the way to north Gaza and upon returning.

We received greater detail on Saturday’s high-risk @WHO-led mission in #Gaza to Al-Ahli Hospital. We are deeply concerned about prolonged checks and detention of health workers that put lives of already fragile patients at risk.

The mission was stopped twice at the Wadi Gaza… https://t.co/DG4uxYSNBw

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 12, 2023

He highlighted that some Palestine Red Crescent Society personnel were detained on both occasions. Ghebreyesus emphasized deep concern about the prolonged checks and detention of health workers, putting the lives of already vulnerable patients at risk.

Aid stranded for weeks

The government media office in Gaza reported on Wednesday that a substantial amount of aid, intended for the beleaguered residents, has remained stranded for weeks on the opposite side of the Rafah border crossing.

Sent from numerous countries to support the people of Gaza amid the relentless Israeli aggression, these aid supplies now face spoilage and expiration due to delays.

#Gaza is grappling with a health emergency exacerbated by cold weather, overcrowded shelters, scarce food, and contaminated water which has resulted in a surge of infectious diseases. The dire situation has overwhelmed hospitals, leaving the sick with limited treatment options.… pic.twitter.com/JY8O5Unwuo

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 14, 2023

The statement emphasized the critical situation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, declaring it untenable as the population grapples with severe shortages of essential resources, including food, water, and medicine. The delay in aid delivery is further adding up to the crisis.

As the crisis deepens, reports from northern Gaza indicate an alarming emergence of famine conditions, particularly affecting thousands of children. The government media office underscored the pressing need for 1,000 trucks daily to transport essential supplies and genuine aid, ranging from infant formula to medical equipment and civil defense vehicles.