5 days ago
Malaysia must unite Asean to address crisis in Gaza
KUALA LUMPUR: Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has called on Malaysia to help rally Asean countries to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Its Asia Pacific director, Paul McPhun, urged Malaysia to lead Asean members in pushing for a lasting ceasefire and opening borders for the unrestricted flow of food, medicine, fuel, and essential supplies.
"There's room for Malaysia to do more to convince other Asean members to lift the siege, push for a lasting ceasefire, and open borders for the unimpeded free flow of food, medicine, fuel, and equipment.
"Asean can help by bringing its voice, leadership, and influence to bear," said McPhun in an interview today.
While most of MSF's patients in Gaza are women and children, men have recently made up the majority of mass casualty cases as they attempt to reach the new aid distribution points.
He criticised the entry of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), saying it has complicated relief efforts.
"The entry of the GHF has meant a complete suspension of the United Nations humanitarian apparatus through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)," he said.
McPhun said MSF will continue to coordinate closely with the remaining UN presence in the region, as they remain a critical provider of information and data during the ongoing crisis.
"If the current situation continues, it is catastrophic. Staff have had to donate their own blood during mass casualty events.
"This is about as desperate as it gets," he said.
MSF also said there has been a spike in humanitarian concerns in the West Bank, as Israel ramps up its illegal settlement project.
"Not on the scale of Gaza, but we are seeing an increase in people driven off their land and presenting with gunshot wounds. Many have experienced extreme trauma," McPhun said.
Pressed on the most meaningful support governments can offer, McPhun was clear: "It's about political pressure for a ceasefire. Supplies are ready. Aid agencies can scale up.
"What we need is access—and the violence to stop."
