Palestine

A few weeks ago, our teams in Gaza started sending alarming photos of emaciated babies. More than 50 children died of malnutrition during Israel’s total blockade between March and May, according to the WHO, and malnutrition rates are still rising rapidly. Since January 24, UNRWA has screened over 242,000 children at its clinics and medical points, covering more than half of Gaza’s under-5 population. One in 10 children screened is malnourished.

One of them is Ahlam, only seven months old. Her family has been displaced every month since the war began, always searching for safety that doesn’t exist. Like many babies in Gaza, her tiny body is weakened; her immune system has been damaged by trauma, repeated displacement, lack of clean water, poor hygiene, and very little food.

In Gaza, therapeutic food and medicine are in desperately short supply. Israeli authorities have imposed a tight siege, blocking the entry of food, medical supplies, nutritional aid, and even hygiene items like soap. Although the blockade is sometimes eased, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the primary humanitarian organization in Gaza, has not been allowed to bring in aid for over four months.

Last week, Salam, another baby girl, died of malnutrition. She was only a few months old. By the time she reached our clinic, it was too late.