The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has launched an appeal for $613m (£432m; €480m) to provide immediate life saving humanitarian aid to help the civilian population of the Gaza Strip after the three week military onslaught by Israel.

“Help is needed urgently: food, clean water, shelter, medicine, restoration of basic services,” Mr Ban told reporters at the launch of the appeal on Thursday 29 January at the annual world economic forum in Davos, Switzerland. The appeal includes $46m specifically for health care.

Without urgent action, the UN chief said, Gaza faces “an even greater humanitarian calamity.”

He said, “People have lost their families. They have lost their homes, belongings, and livelihoods.” Schools, clinics, factories, and businesses have been destroyed, he said. The funds sought are meant to help …