Gaza’s children most affected by severe malnutrition, doctors say
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening as severe food shortages and the blockade on aid push millions, especially children, toward famine.
According to UNICEF, over 2.4 million people, including 1.1 million children, are at risk of starvation due to the closure of crossings and the lack of food and nutritional supplies.
Susan Mohammed Marouf, a nutritionist at the Patients’ Friends Society, warned of the dire situation. “We currently have four child patients in the Therapeutic Nutrition Department, all of whom are suffering from severe malnutrition. This is due to a lack of nutritional supplements and basic foods necessary for maintaining health,” she said.
Marouf explained to Viory that the shortage of essential foods including proteins, vegetables, and fruits, has led to widespread malnutrition, worsening the condition of the most vulnerable.
“Malnutrition is affecting all age groups, particularly children, who are the most vulnerable in society. Their condition has worsened since the ban on aid and supplements,” she noted, adding that even medical staff are struggling to perform their duties due to food scarcity.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that 10 more people died from famine-related causes on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from hunger to 111. The health system has nearly collapsed, with 38 hospitals reportedly destroyed.
“Today, most people suffer from malnutrition, including medical staff, who are unable to perform their duties properly. Doctors are so fatigued due to a lack of food that they cannot treat patients properly, not to mention children, who are the most vulnerable. Their conditions are even more severe,” Marouf added.
The World Health Organisation has described the situation as “mass starvation caused by a blockade preventing the entry of food and medical aid.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has labelled it a “horror show.”
Israel, however, has denied responsibility, with government spokesperson David Minster claiming that the shortages are “man-made,” blaming Hamas for the crisis.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
