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Rabat – The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached critical levels, with the World Health Organization (WHO) revealing that more than 8,000 children under the age of five have been treated for acute malnutrition.
This stark statistic underscores a severe health crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflict and blockade, with 28 children already succumbing to the condition.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the gravity of the situation while speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Wednesday.
“1,600 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, a condition that is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children globally,” Tedros stated, emphasizing the dire need for immediate intervention.
As it continues to endure relentless bombardment carried by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), the Gaza Strip now faces widespread food shortages and near-famine conditions.
Despite claims of increased food deliveries, Tedros noted, there is no substantial evidence that those in desperate need are receiving adequate food supplies in terms of quantity or quality.
Read also: UN Probe Accuses Israel of Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza, Including Extermination
Efforts to bolster nutrition services in Gaza are underway, with WHO and its partners working tirelessly to address the crisis. The WHO chief also pointed out that only two stabilization centers for severely malnourished patients are currently operational in Gaza.
“More than 8,000 children under five have been diagnosed and treated for acute malnutrition, including 1,600 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition,” Tedros said. Acute malnutrition often leads to severe medical complications, further increasing the vulnerability of affected children.
The lack of security and access to medical services, compounded by shortages of potable water and proper sanitation, has significantly heightened the risk of child malnutrition. “There have already been 32 deaths attributed to malnutrition, including 28 among children under five,” Tedros lamented.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 37,000 Gazans have been killed since Israel launched its war on the Palestinian enclave last October.
