Children in the Gaza Strip are facing a dire situation as they struggle with severe food deprivation and escalating malnutrition, according to a recent report by United Nations experts. The crisis has reached a critical point, with an alarming number of children suffering from the most life-threatening form of malnutrition.
UNICEF, the U.N. agency for children, revealed that about one in every 20 children in shelters and health centers in northern Gaza is experiencing “severe wasting,” a dangerous condition where a child is dangerously thin for their height. The situation is particularly dire among children under 2 years old, with acute malnutrition becoming increasingly common across Gaza, especially in northern areas where rates have doubled since January.
Even in areas like Rafah, where access to food is relatively better, a significant percentage of children are still acutely malnourished. Before the conflict, the rate of acute malnutrition among young children was less than 1 percent, highlighting the severity of the current crisis.
UNICEF’s special representative in the Palestinian territories, Lucia Elmi, expressed deep concern over the rapid deterioration of children’s health due to lack of essential nutrients. She emphasized the urgent need for protein, vitamins, and micronutrients, which have been severely lacking in Gaza.
The impact of the war on children in Gaza is not just physical but also mental, with more than 12,000 children killed in the conflict. The Gazan Health Ministry reported that 27 children in northern Gaza have died from malnutrition or dehydration, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Humanitarian groups have criticized Israel for exacerbating the food shortage by imposing strict restrictions on aid entering Gaza. Despite recent efforts to increase aid delivery, the crisis remains the worst in the world for children, according to the chief executive of Save the Children.
Without a cease-fire, it has been challenging for humanitarian teams to provide comprehensive assistance to Palestinians in need. The lack of sanitation and poor water quality in some areas further exacerbate the hunger crisis, putting children at risk of falling seriously ill.
The situation in Gaza is beyond catastrophic, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis. Urgent action is needed to address the food deprivation and malnutrition affecting the most vulnerable members of society.
