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UN warns Gaza aid stocks dwindling, life-saving medical supplies stalled outside the Strip
Summary
The United Nations reported critical shortages of humanitarian and medical supplies in Gaza, warning that halted crossings and soaring prices risk reversing gains in child health and nutrition.
The United Nations said aid stocks in Gaza are critically low after more than two weeks with no supplies entering the Strip, and warned that the suspension of cargo has already driven up prices and limited access to essential goods.
The UN press office said the World Food Programme reported a surge in prices and that cooking gas costs rose by as much as 200% compared with February. "Our partners also report a lack of cash. Shop owners are unable to restock or pay their suppliers," the spokesperson said. The UN and partners are continuing to provide "life saving assistance, life saving services for as many vulnerable people as possible," the spokesperson added.
UN agencies have screened thousands of children for malnutrition over the past two weeks. "Over the past 2 weeks, our partners have screened more than 3,000 children for malnutrition across Gaza," the spokesperson said, adding that only a small number of acute cases had been identified so far but that conditions could worsen if aid remains halted.
UNICEF reported large quantities of critical supplies stalled outside the Strip, including 20 ventilators intended for neonatal intensive care units and more than 180,000 doses of routine childhood vaccines. The spokesperson relayed UNICEF's warning that "these life saving health supplies must be allowed to enter, and warned that any further delay risks reversing the gains made for children during the ceasefire." The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said more than 270,000 children have enrolled in its education program in Gaza.
Why it matters: stalled shipments of vaccines and neonatal ventilators could lead to rapid deterioration in child health if supplies do not reach health facilities. The combination of restricted crossings, rising prices and cash shortages strains markets and humanitarian operations.
UN agencies are urging the immediate resumption of cargo crossings and continued protection for humanitarian activities. The UN spokesperson directed readers to agency statements for fuller details and diagnostics of needs on the ground.
