UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr, expressed concern over the recent deaths of at least 10 children due to dehydration and malnutrition at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza. She highlighted the helplessness and despair felt by parents and doctors who are unable to access lifesaving aid for children in need. Khodr emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that thousands of babies and children’s lives depend on immediate action being taken to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
UNICEF is particularly concerned about the situation in northern Gaza, where the lack of nutritious food, safe water, and medical services is endangering children and mothers. The aid restrictions and multiple dangers facing UN humanitarian operations are exacerbating the crisis and hindering the ability of families to access essential resources. Malnutrition screenings conducted by UNICEF and the World Food Programme revealed that nearly 16% of children aged two and under in the north are acutely malnourished, compared to 5% in the south where aid has been more available.
Khodr emphasized that the aid restrictions in northern Gaza are costing lives and called for immediate action to avert a famine and save children’s lives. She stressed the importance of enabling humanitarian aid agencies like UNICEF to access multiple entry points and distribute aid across Gaza without denials, delays, or access impediments. The agency has been warning about the potential increase in child deaths in Gaza due to a worsening humanitarian crisis, and the recent deaths of children highlight the urgent need for intervention to prevent further loss of life.
The ongoing war and barriers to humanitarian relief in Gaza are contributing to a dire situation where children are suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and lack of access to essential medical care. UNICEF is calling for an end to the conflict and immediate resolution of obstacles preventing aid from reaching those in need. Khodr emphasized the need for reliable entry points, security assurances, and unimpeded passage to distribute aid at scale and prevent a further escalation of the crisis. Without urgent action, the child deaths that have already occurred are likely to increase rapidly, underscoring the critical need for immediate intervention to save lives in Gaza.
In conclusion, the recent deaths of children in Gaza due to dehydration and malnutrition highlight the urgent need for humanitarian action to address the escalating crisis in the region. Adele Khodr of UNICEF has called for immediate intervention to avert a famine, save lives, and ensure that aid reaches those most in need. The ongoing war and aid restrictions are exacerbating the situation, and unless urgent action is taken to address the barriers to humanitarian relief, more children’s lives are at risk of being lost. The international community must come together to support efforts to provide essential resources and assistance to the vulnerable populations in Gaza and prevent further loss of life.
