VOA标准英语2009年-Int'l Red Cross Decries Gaza Humanitarian Crisi

The International Committee of the Red Cross said Gaza is suffering what it calls a full-blown humanitarian¹ crisis. It said the death toll² and number of injured is rising, the infrastructure³ of the Palestinian territory is shattered and civilians⁵ lack essential supplies.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said up to 600 people have been killed and about 3,000 injured since Israel began its military offensive in Gaza.
　

Pierre Kraehenbuehl addresses Gaza humanitarian situation at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, 06 Jan 2009

The Head of ICRC Operations, Pierre Kraehenbuehl, called it a full blown humanitarian crisis. He said the situation for civilians has become intolerable.

"The main message coming out of Gaza this morning is one of fear and frustration⁶. People are scared, parents for the safety of their children and the population at large being caught up in fighting. This past night was described to us over the phone this morning as being the most frightening of all to date," he said.

The ICRC said people are trapped and unable to flee to areas of safety. The Swiss humanitarian organization is appealing to Israel and Hamas fighters to refrain from targeting civilians and civilian⁴ infrastructure. It said it is critical that civilians are kept out of the line of fire.

Kraehenbuehl said a distinction must be made between civilians and combatants. He said direct and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as homes, hospitals and water-power supplies, are prohibited under international humanitarian law.
　

A Palestinian medic carries a wounded boy into Gaza City’s al-Shifa hospital, 06 Jan 2009

He said the Red Cross is gravely concerned by the growing number of civilian deaths and injuries. He said the growing number of civilian infrastructure that is being damaged and destroyed, including hospitals, also is alarming.

"In every situation of armed conflict, the issue of access to medical care is a crucial one. In Gaza, this access has been worsening by the day. Many people in Gaza currently do not get the emergency medical care that they need. Some are even dying because ambulances cannot reach them in time, which is frankly⁷ appalling," he said.

Kraehenbuehl said the Israeli authorities are allowing the Red Cross to bring medical supplies, including blood, into Gaza. He said the agency also has brought in tetanus vaccines⁸, which are potentially life saving for wounded patients.

He said a team of Red Cross war surgeons has been allowed to enter Gaza to assist doctors treating the wounded at the main Shifa hospital.

1 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

2 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

5 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

6 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

7 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

8 vaccines   

疫苗，痘苗( vaccine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His team are at the forefront of scientific research into vaccines. 他的小组处于疫苗科研的最前沿。
• The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators. 疫苗放在冰箱中冷藏。