The World Health Organization (WHO) recently revealed that the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has led to severe malnutrition among over 8,000 children under the age of five.
During a press briefing held in Geneva on June 12, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that among the 8,000 children under the age of five, identified and provided treatment for acute malnutrition, 1,600 were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition also known as severe wasting – the most lethal form of malnutrition. Tedros explained that a large portion of the Gaza Strip population is currently facing a catastrophic level of food shortages and near-famine conditions despite an increase in food deliveries.
"A significant proportion of Gaza’s population is now facing catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions. Despite reports of increased delivery of food, there is currently no evidence that those who need it most are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food," Tedros said.
The WHO and its partners have been working to enhance nutrition services within the besieged territory. However, Tedros expressed grave concern over the limited operational capacity in Gaza due to ongoing insecurity and access issues. Currently, only two out of three stabilization centers for severely malnourished children are functional and the plans for opening of new centers have been delayed due to ongoing military operations. (Related: UN probe finds Israel GUILTY of crimes against humanity in Gaza.)
"Our inability to provide health services safely, combined with the lack of clean water and sanitation, significantly increases the risk of malnourished children," he warned. "There have already been 32 deaths attributed to malnutrition, including 28 among children under five years old."
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UNICEF: Almost 3,000 malnourished children at risk of "dying before their families' eyes"
Aside from the WHO report, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) also disclosed similar data about the alarming cases of malnutrition and famine in Gaza.
According to the official website of UNICEF, almost 3,000 children have been cut off from treatment for moderate and severe acute malnutrition due to limited access to food and treatment in southern Gaza. These children are at risk of "dying before their families' eyes" as harrowing violence and displacement continue to impact access to healthcare facilities and services in the area.
"Horrific images continue to emerge from Gaza of children dying before their families’ eyes due to the continued lack of food, nutrition supplies and the destruction of healthcare services," said UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Adele Khodr.
"Unless treatment can be quickly resumed for these 3,000 children, they are at immediate and serious risk of becoming critically ill, acquiring life-threatening complications and joining the growing list of boys and girls who have been killed by this senseless, man-made deprivation," Khodr added.
In line with this, UNICEF reveals that acute malnutrition treatment for children typically takes six to eight weeks of uninterrupted care with special therapeutic food, safe water and other medical support. These children are even more at risk of catching diseases and other health issues due to limited access to safe water, sewage overflow, infrastructure damage and a lack of hygiene items. But sadly, these alarming cases of malnutrition in Gaza come amid the collapse of malnutrition treatment services.
"Our warnings of mounting child deaths from a preventable combination of malnutrition, dehydration and disease should have mobilized immediate action to save children’s lives, and yet, this devastation continues," Khodr said. "With hospitals destroyed, treatments stopped and supplies scant, we are poising for more child suffering and deaths."
But then, Khodr also disclosed that, if only access would permit, UNICEF could provide enough malnutrition treatment services to those children.
"UNICEF has more nutrition supplies prepositioned to arrive in the Gaza Strip, if access allows," said Khodr. "United Nations agencies are seeking assurances that humanitarian operations can safely collect and distribute aid to children and their families without interruption. We need better operating conditions on the ground, with more safety and less restrictions. But ultimately, it is a ceasefire that children need most."
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