FAOdeputychiefwarnsofdevastatedagriculturalinfrastructureinGaza_GuangmingOnlineMaurizioMartina(onscreen),deputydirector-generaloftheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(UN),addressestheSecurityCouncilduringameetingontheprotectionofciviliansinarmedconflicts,heldattheUNheadquartersinNewYork,onFeb.27,2024.(LoeyFelipe/UNPhoto/HandoutviaXinhua)UNITEDNATIONS,Feb.27(Xinhua)--MaurizioMartina,deputydirector-generaloftheFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO),warnedonTuesdaythattheagriculturalinfrastructureinGazahasbeendevastated.MartinahighlightedattheUNSecurityCouncilmeetingontheprotectionofciviliansinarmedconflictsthedireconsequencesfortheregion'sagriculturalsector,whichisa"criticalsourceofsustenanceandincome"foritsresidents."Thekeyfindingsaretroubling,"Martinasaid,sheddinglightontheextensivedamageinflicteduponGaza'sagriculturallandscape.Hedetailedthesignificanttolltheconflicthastaken,fromthedecimationofthefishingindustry,avitalsourceoflivelihoodforover100,000people,tothealarmingmortalityrateamonglivestockduetoairstrikesandascarcityofessentialresourceslikewaterandfodder.MartinareportedthatasofFeb.15,nearlyhalfofGaza'sarablelandhadsuffereddamage.Thedestructionofagriculturalinfrastructureis"widespread,"withsheepanddairyfarmsamongthehardesthit.Henotedthatoveraquarteroftheregion'swellsweredestroyed,significantlyaffectingwateravailabilityinNorthGazaandGazaCity.Additionally,339hectaresofgreenhouses,crucialforthecultivationofvariouscrops,"layinruins,"particularlyinGazaCity,NorthGaza,andKhanYounis.Theconflicthasalsoseverelydisruptedtheharvestofolivesandcitrusfruits,whichareimportantsourcesofrevenueformanyinGaza.TheFAOdeputychiefalsotouchedonthesevererestrictionsonaiddeliveries,whichhavehamperedeffectivehumanitarianeffortsintheregion.Heunderscoredtheurgentneedforacessationofhostilitiesandtherestorationofhumanitariancorridorstofacilitatethedeliveryofmultisectoralassistanceandtherehabilitationofessentialservices."AcriticalpriorityistorestoresafeandsustainedhumanitarianaccessthroughouttheGazaStripandtoallthoseinneedoflifesavingassistance,"Martinaemphasized,callingfortherestorationofbasicservicessuchascross-borderwaterpipelines,telecommunications,electricitydistribution,andhealthfacilities."Allpartiesmustrespecttheirobligationsunderinternationalhumanitarianandhumanrightslawandprotectcivilians,"Martinasaid,addingthatanimmediateceasefireandpeaceareaprerequisiteforfoodsecurity.Editor:DisclaimerTheviewsandopinionsexpressedinthisarticlearethoseoftheauthor's,GMW.cnmakesnorepresentationsastoaccuracy,suitability,orvalidityofanyinformationonthissiteandwillnotbeliableforanyerrors,omissions,ordelaysinthisinformation.