UNICEF calls for urgent humanitarian aid amid escalating malnutrition crisis in Gaza

In a stark and alarming UNICEF briefing, it was revealed that nearly 6,000 children in Gaza were found to be acutely malnourished in June, marking a staggering 180% increase in cases since February. This crisis is compounded by a catastrophic lack of access to clean water, with 95% of households unable to obtain adequate supplies. The ongoing fuel shortage has crippled water production and sanitation services, pushing families to resort to contaminated water sources, which now account for 44% of healthcare consultations due to waterborne diseases.

The situation is dire for the youngest and most vulnerable, as hospitals struggle to cope with overwhelming demand. Emergency departments are operating beyond capacity, and critical newborn care has plummeted by nearly 70%. UNICEF reports that at least 12,500 patients, including thousands of children with severe injuries and chronic conditions, urgently need medical evacuation. However, only a limited number of countries are accepting these patients, leading to preventable deaths.

Despite a recent trickle of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, with an average of just 30 UN trucks per day, this is far from sufficient for the 2 million people in need. UNICEF is calling for an increase in the scale and speed of aid delivery, including essential supplies like fuel, which is vital for sustaining life-saving operations in hospitals and sanitation facilities.

The briefing underscored the urgent need for a return to a functioning UN-led aid pipeline, emphasizing that humanitarian access must be safe and sustained. UNICEF reiterated the call for all aid delivery to be demilitarized and grounded in humanitarian principles, as the lives of countless children hang in the balance.