Children in the Gaza Strip are facing a dire situation as they struggle with severe and rapidly worsening food deprivation, leading to an alarming number suffering from the most life-threatening form of malnutrition, according to United Nations experts.
UNICEF, the U.N. agency for children, reported that about one in every 20 children in shelters and health centers in northern Gaza is experiencing “severe wasting,” a critical sign of malnutrition where children are dangerously thin for their height. The findings, based on screenings conducted by the agency, were released on Friday.
Among children under 2 years old, acute malnutrition has become fairly common across Gaza, with the most severe prevalence in northern Gaza. In some areas, rates of acute malnutrition have doubled since they were last recorded in January.
Even in Rafah, the densely populated area in southern Gaza with the greatest access to food, 10 percent of children under 2 are acutely malnourished, and 4 percent are severely wasting. Before the war, the rate of acute malnutrition among young children was less than 1 percent, and severe wasting was extremely rare.
UNICEF’s special representative in the Palestinian territories, Lucia Elmi, expressed alarm at the rapid deterioration of children’s health due to the lack of essential nutrients. She emphasized the urgent need for protein, vitamins, fresh products, and micronutrients, which have been missing in their diets.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on children, both physically and mentally. More than 12,000 children have been killed in the conflict, and 27 children in northern Gaza have died from malnutrition or dehydration, according to the Gazan Health Ministry.
Palestinian parents are struggling to find enough food for their children, with many choosing to prioritize their children’s needs over their own. The situation has been described as “beyond catastrophic” by United Nations officials, with conditions worsening by the day.
Humanitarian groups have criticized Israel for its restrictions on aid entering Gaza, citing it as a major cause of the food shortage. Without a cease-fire, it has been challenging for aid teams to safely and comprehensively assist Palestinians in need.
The crisis in Gaza is currently considered the worst in the world for children, according to Save the Children. The lack of sanitation, including dirty water and sewage on the streets, is exacerbating the hunger crisis and leading to further health complications for children.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, urgent action is needed to address the food deprivation and malnutrition affecting children in the region.
