The United Nations and humanitarian organizations warned on Wednesday that humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, are at risk of collapse unless “Israel” removes obstacles, including what they described as “problematic, arbitrary, and highly politicized” registration procedures.
In a joint statement, the United Nations and more than 200 local and international aid organizations said that dozens of international humanitarian organizations face the cancellation of their registration by December 31, which would force them to shut down their operations within 60 days.
The statement said that “the cancellation of the registration of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in Gaza would have a catastrophic impact on access to essential and life-saving services.”
It added that international NGOs operate or support most field hospitals and primary healthcare centers, and lead emergency responses related to shelter, water and sanitation services, nutrition stabilization centers for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and critical mine-action activities.
The statement noted that while some international aid organizations have been registered under a system launched in March, the ongoing re-registration process and other arbitrary restrictions on humanitarian operations have left millions of dollars’ worth of essential supplies — including food, medical items, hygiene materials, and shelter assistance — stockpiled outside Gaza, unable to reach those in need.
The UN and aid organizations said they would be unable to fill the gap left by the collapse of international NGO operations if their registrations are canceled, stressing that alternative actors operating outside established humanitarian principles cannot replace humanitarian response mechanisms.
The statement emphasized that “the delivery of humanitarian aid is not optional, conditional, or political,” calling for life-saving assistance to be allowed to reach Palestinians without further delay.
