GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – The United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Food Programme have raised concerns about the alarming rates of malnutrition in Gaza, as highlighted in a recent report.
According to UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action, Ted Chaiban, the Gaza Strip is on the verge of a nutrition crisis, with a looming threat of preventable child deaths. The report indicates that in the north of Gaza, where humanitarian aid relief has been scarce, 15.6 percent of children under the age of two are acutely malnourished, while in Rafah in the south, 5 percent of children under two are facing similar conditions.
Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the WHO’s health emergencies program, described the combination of hunger and disease as a deadly one, emphasizing that malnourished and traumatized children are more susceptible to illness. The situation is dire and unfolding before our eyes.
The report also revealed that 95% of households in Gaza are limiting meals and portion sizes, with 64% only able to have one meal a day. The implications of these findings are grave, posing significant threats to the health and well-being of the children in the region.
As the crisis continues to escalate, urgent intervention and support are needed to address the immediate needs of the vulnerable population in Gaza. The collaboration of international organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies is essential to prevent further suffering and avert a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe in the region.