According to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) press release, more than 5,000 children in the Gaza Strip were diagnosed with malnutrition in May alone. The 5,119 children aged 6 months to 5 years who needed treatment for acute malnutrition represents a nearly 50% jump from April and a 150% increase from February when a ceasefire allowed more aid into the territory.
The deteriorating situation has hit Gaza’s youngest residents hard. Of the children treated in May, 636 had severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous form that requires immediate medical care to survive. These cases have risen 146% since February, among a population where malnutrition was virtually non-existent just 20 months ago.
From January through May, 16,736 children have been admitted for malnutrition treatment – an average of 112 children every day. UNICEF Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder said “every one of these cases is preventable” and blamed blocked aid deliveries. “The food, water, and nutrition treatments they desperally need are being blocked from reaching them. Man-made decisions that are costing lives.” The conflict has damaged water and health systems, leaving only 127 of 236 treatment centers working. Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic-Food for treating severe malnutrition is running out.
The crisis threatens to worsen as the UN runs low on fuel needed to operate water production and health services. Without immediate changes, UNICEF warns malnutrition cases could hit the highest levels since the conflict began, creating a deadly cycle where malnourished children become more vulnerable to diseases like acute diarrhea and hepatitis A.
