Rafah reopening offers lifeline for patients, but aid flow still far from enough

Briefing journalists in New York on Tuesday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said UN relief chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the reopening but stressed that it must go beyond limited movements of people.

“Rafah must function as a real humanitarian corridor so we can have a surge in aid deliveries,” Mr. Fletcher said, underlining that current access remains insufficient to meet vast and growing needs across Gaza.

Only five evacuated

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that when the crossing briefly opened on Monday, it facilitated the evacuation of five patients and seven companions from Gaza into Egypt. 

WHO said its role focused on ensuring the safe transfer of patients from inside Gaza to the Rafah crossing, after security clearance was obtained.

Speaking separately to reporters in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier described the evacuations as the first through Rafah in months, calling them “the start of a process” and a test of whether a sustained flow could be established: “obviously we need many more,” he said.

According to WHO, more than 18,500 patients in Gaza still require specialised medical care that is no longer available in the Strip, including people suffering from heavy trauma wounds, cancer and chronic diseases such as diabetes.

‘Human disaster’

“18,500 waiting, five managed to get out…That’s not just math – it’s a human disaster for those having to wait.”

He also highlighted the tragedy of patients who have died while awaiting evacuation, despite life-saving treatment being available just beyond the border. A major challenge, he added, remains finding countries willing to receive patients.

Meanwhile, further movements are expected through Rafah in the coming days. 

WHO continues to facilitate the transfer of patients and their companions, while the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is providing bus transportation for returnees from an internal checkpoint to Nasser hospital in Khan Younis.

At the hospital, OCHA and several UN and NGO partners have established a reception area offering medical, psychosocial and referral services.

Widespread needs

Beyond medical evacuations, UN agencies and humanitarian partners are continuing to respond to widespread needs across Gaza. 

Food security partners report that by the end of January, around 25 organisations were producing and distributing 1.7 million meals every day through more than 180 kitchens, with over half a million meals in the north and 1.2 million in the south.

Partners also brought in around 650 metric tonnes of animal feed during January, now being distributed to livestock holders and donkey owners who support essential services.

Schooling and shelter

In the shelter sector, more than 83,500 families received assistance last month, including tents, mattresses, kitchen utensils and warm clothing, though partners stress the urgent need to move towards more sustainable housing solutions.

Education partners are likewise working to expand learning capacity by setting up new spaces and supporting community-led initiatives, as supplies gradually arrive.

Despite these efforts, the UN has reiterated that without sustained access through crossings such as Rafah, humanitarian needs will continue to outpace the response.