Acute child malnutrition in Gaza doubles in a month, UNICEF warns |
The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF, has warned that acute malnutrition among children in northern Gaza has doubled within a month, reaching what it describes as “devastating and unprecedented levels.”
In a statement on Saturday, the agency reported that 31 percent of children under two in northern Gaza were suffering from acute malnutrition in February, compared to 15.6 percent in January. Among children under five, cases surged from 13 percent to 25 percent in the same period.
“The speed at which this catastrophic child malnutrition crisis in Gaza has unfolded is shocking, especially when desperately needed assistance has been at the ready just a few miles away,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director.
Aid blockade
UNICEF attributes the growing crisis to Israel’s ongoing blockade, which has severely restricted humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. The blockade, in place since March 2, followed the expiration of the first phase of a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“Our efforts in providing life-saving aid are being hampered by unnecessary restrictions, and those are costing children their lives,” Russell said.
The situation is particularly dire in northern Gaza, where at least 23 children have reportedly died from malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks, according to UNICEF. The agency said that 4.5 percent of children screened in shelters and health centres suffer from severe wasting, the deadliest form of malnutrition.
Even in Rafah, in southern Gaza—where aid access has been relatively better—the number of acutely malnourished children under two doubled from 5 percent in January to 10 percent by the end of February.
Calls for urgent humanitarian action
UNICEF and other humanitarian organisations continue to call for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate aid deliveries and restore essential services.
“An immediate humanitarian ceasefire continues to provide the only chance to save children’s lives and end their suffering,” Russell said.
Rights groups have accused Israel of violating international laws by restricting aid to Gaza, while Palestinian health officials report that nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with thousands more missing.
As malnutrition rates continue to rise, UNICEF has warned that without urgent humanitarian intervention, more children’s lives will be lost.
