The UN agency has warned that the malnutrition crisis is getting worse across Gaza, warning that the dramatic rise in affected children is under the age of 2 and under the age of 5.
One in children under the age of 2 and under the age of 3 in the northern Gaza Strip suffers from acute malnutrition, UN children warn that full Israeli aid will enter its third week.
In a statement on Saturday, UNICEF said the rapid spread of malnutrition among children in Gaza has reached “catastrophic and unprecedented levels” due to the deep impact of Israeli war and the ongoing curbs on the provision of territorial aid.
The agency said it affected 31% of children under two in February, compared to 15.6% in January, and doubled acute malnutrition in one month. It adds that acute malnutrition has skyrocketed to 13-25% among children under the age of 5, citing nutrition screenings conducted by UNICEF and its partners.
UNICEF Executive Director Katherine Russell said:
She added that despite repeated attempts to provide assistance, the situation for children in Gaza “is getting worse every day.”
“Our efforts to provide life-saving aid are hampered by unnecessary restrictions, which are taking their children’s lives,” Russell said.
Israeli aid blockade urges protest
Israel halted entry of all aid supplies to Gaza on March 2, hours after Hamas expired on March 2, creating fear of “deepening hunger” and more difficulties for the territorial population. Israel has also cut electricity to key desalination plants that threaten drinking water in Gaza.
Rights groups accused Israel of being a violation of international law to reduce crimes against humanity and aid to Gaza. Palestinian health officials say nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war with Israeli enclaves, thousands more died under the tile rub, and 70% of Gaza’s buildings and roads have been confirmed to have been damaged after 15 months of Israeli artillery fire.
“At least 23 children in the northern Gaza Strip reportedly have died of malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks, adding to the increase in the number of children killed on the strip in this current conflict,” UNICEF said.
It added that 4.5% of children in health centers and shelters suffered from severe waste. This is the most deadly form of malnutrition, and “provides a child at the highest risk of medical complications and death.”
Kahn Eunice’s screening in a southern city found that 28% of children under the age of 2 were acute malnutrition and 10% suffered from severe waste.
“Even Rafa, the southern enclave with the most access to aid, screening results for children under the age of 2 doubled from 5% who became acute malnutrition in January to about 10% by the end of February,” the UN agency said.
“Acute malnutrition among children continues to rise rapidly and without more humanitarian assistance and the recovery of essential services, it will continue to increase across the Gaza Strip and cost more lives.”
UNICEF’s Russell said he “does everything” to avoid a major humanitarian crisis, but that’s not enough.
“An immediate humanitarian ceasefire continues to provide the only opportunity to save lives and end the suffering of children.”
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