The Gaza Strip is facing a severe rise in malnutrition rates among children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, posing significant health risks, according to a recent report by the Global Nutrition Cluster.
The conflict in the region has led to a scarcity of food and safe water, increasing the prevalence of diseases and compromising the nutrition and immunity of women and children. In the Northern Gaza Strip, where aid has been scarce, 15.6 percent of children under 2 years old are acutely malnourished, with almost 3 percent suffering from severe wasting. This alarming situation could lead to preventable child deaths if not addressed urgently.
In comparison, in the Southern Gaza Strip, where aid has been more available, 5 percent of children under 2 years old are acutely malnourished. This highlights the importance of humanitarian aid in preventing the worst outcomes and protecting vulnerable populations in the region.
The lack of food, water, and essential health services is contributing to the rise in malnutrition rates across the Gaza Strip. Many households are facing food poverty, with a high percentage limiting meal in portion sizes, and adults sacrificing their own food intake to ensure children have enough to eat.
The situation is further exacerbated by inadequate access to safe drinking water, with households having less than one litre of safe water per person per day on average – well below the minimum emergency standards. This lack of water for cooking and hygiene purposes is compounding the poor nutritional status of the population.
Humanitarian agencies are calling for immediate action to improve security and humanitarian access in the region, as well as increased entry points for aid to enter Gaza. Without urgent intervention, the Gaza Strip is at risk of a severe nutrition crisis, with long-term consequences for the health and well-being of children and women in the region.
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