Children endangered: Unicef: Increasing malnutrition in children in Gaza

According to UNICEF, the humanitarian location in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly dramatic. Children in particular are at risk from malnutrition and unsanitary conditions. In May alone, 5,119 children between six months and five years had to be treated in the coastal strip, which was largely destroyed by 20 months of war due to acute malnutrition, the United Nations children’s aid organization. This is an increase of 50 percent compared to the previous month.

Average 112 children treated a day

636 toddlers even suffered from severe acute malnutrition – the worst form of malnutrition. They urgently needed life -saving help, but clean water, medical care and treatment options are hardly available in the Gaza Strip, Unicef ​​complained. “In just 150 days-from the beginning of the year to the end of May-16,736 children were treated in the Gaza Strip due to malnutrition. That is an average of 112 children a day,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UniceF regional director in the Middle East and North Africa.

Life -threatening vicious circle of hunger and illness

If malnutrition and illnesses occur at the same time, a life -threatening vicious cycle arises. “Poorly eaten children are more susceptible to serious illnesses such as acute diarrhea. Conversely, acute and long -lasting diarrhea worsen the state of health and lead to malnutrition,” wrote Unicef.

UNICEF again called on all the parties to the conflict to end violence, to protect the civilian population – especially children -, to respect humanitarian international law and human rights, to provide immediate provision of humanitarian aid and to relieve all hostages from Israel.

The Gaza War triggered the attack by Hamas and other Islamist extremists on Israel on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were delayed to Gaza as hostages. Since then, Israel’s military has been fighting against Hamas.