Regional Director opening remarks at the emergencies press briefing
29 January 2025
Good afternoon to all journalists and media representatives, and thank you for your continued efforts to shed light on the humanitarian and health situation in our Region — home to some of the most vulnerable people on the planet today.
For the first time since I took office, we find ourselves in a moment of fragile hope. A ceasefire is holding in Gaza, another has been extended in Lebanon. Syria has recently faced a swift transition. I want to begin this briefing by expressing my hope— that not only do these ceasefires endure, but that they pave the way for a lasting cessation of hostilities. Just like one little boy named Ashraf from Gaza said, “We hope that the ceasefire is for real… do not let us down like every time.”
Many of you may have seen the heartbreaking images of families returning to north Gaza—to places where their homes once were, where now only rubble remains. Hundreds of thousands have come back to devastated neighborhoods with almost no health facility remaining intact. During these weeks of ceasefire, our top priority is to restore essential health services and make hospitals and health facilities operational as swiftly as possible.
The psychological trauma facing the people of Gaza is unspeakable. This is a place where everyone is grieving. They have endured unimaginable violence, months of insufficient food, scarce water, and nights haunted by the relentless sound of drones. The collective trauma is profound and beyond measure. Supporting mental health is a key aspect
Read more: Regional Director opening remarks at the emergencies press briefing