Victor Aguayo, UNICEF’s nutrition director, stressed the urgent need for treatment for these children, warning of a growing crisis and increasing child mortality due to malnutrition.

According to UNICEF, 90% of children in Gaza lack the necessary nutrients for proper growth and development. The malnutrition crisis is also affecting pregnant women and nursing mothers, with significant threats to their health and survival. The severe shortages of food and clean drinking water, coupled with the spread of infectious diseases, have exacerbated malnutrition levels, putting vulnerable populations at even greater risk.

UNICEF, alongside the World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has called for immediate, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid across Gaza. The organizations stressed the need for multi-sectoral assistance to address the critical needs of the population. However, humanitarian efforts are being hindered by ongoing violence and access issues.

The Gaza Ministry of Health has confirmed that dozens of children have died from malnutrition in recent months. UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned that over one million people in Gaza did not receive food rations in August. Despite severe challenges, Dujarric reaffirmed that the UN and other humanitarian organizations are continuing efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to Palestinians.

The crisis in Gaza has intensified since Israeli genocidal aggression began on October 7, 2023, leading to tens of thousands of casualties. International warnings are escalating about the worsening situation, with relief workers facing extreme risks, further complicating the delivery of critical aid to the besieged territory. (ILKHA)