The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert regarding the alarming levels of hunger among children in Gaza. More than four in five children under five years old did not eat for a whole day at least once in the three days leading up to a food insecurity survey. This has raised concerns about the lack of food supplies reaching those in need, leading to children starving. Additionally, the survey revealed that almost all of the children surveyed in Gaza are only eating two different food groups per day, far below the WHO recommendation of at least five.
Since mid-January, over 93,400 children under five have been screened for malnutrition in Gaza, with 7,280 found to have acute malnutrition. This includes 5,604 with moderate acute malnutrition and 1,676 with severe acute malnutrition. The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, has highlighted the risk of deadly malnutrition and famine among Gaza’s most vulnerable individuals. Despite efforts to deliver aid, there are obstacles to access, as the aid that is getting in is not reaching the people in need. Humanitarians stress the importance of land crossings for aid convoys to ensure aid can be delivered at scale and speed.
Amid ongoing reports of deadly Israeli bombardment in Gaza, humanitarians stress the importance of ensuring that land crossings for aid convoys remain open and safe for use. The Israeli authorities have obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate the delivery of aid, which includes ensuring that aid can be picked up safely. The recent setback of the US military-built floating dock off Gaza’s coastline has hindered aid delivery, highlighting the need for multiple ways of getting aid into the region.
The WHO, along with partners and the local health authority, continues to offer stabilization services for children suffering from the most life-threatening form of malnutrition in Gaza. Despite efforts to provide treatment, there are challenges in reaching all children in need due to access issues and limited resources. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with hunger and malnutrition posing a significant threat to the health and well-being of children in the region.
Efforts to address the hunger crisis in Gaza require coordinated action from international actors, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations. Ensuring that aid can reach those in need is crucial in preventing further suffering and loss of life. The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza highlight the urgent need for a sustainable solution that addresses the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in the region.
