After the recent announcement of a ceasefire plan in Gaza, there is a glimmer of hope for increased aid to the region. However, a new study by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reveals a stark reality – more than 54,600 children under five in Gaza are severely malnourished.
The study, published in the Lancet medical journal, utilized upper-arm measurements of children aged six months to five years to assess the prevalence of “acute wasting,” the most severe form of malnutrition requiring urgent treatment. Children with arm measurements below 125 millimeters were referred to UNRWA’s feeding program.
Dr. Masako Horino, the lead author of the study, highlighted that after two years of war and limited humanitarian aid, a significant number of preschool-aged children in Gaza are now facing preventable acute malnutrition, putting them at a higher risk of mortality.
According to the study, 15.8% of children screened were suffering from acute wasting as of August this year. The levels of malnutrition were found to fluctuate in correlation with the availability of food aid, worsening during periods of conflict and easing during temporary ceasefires.
Experts, not involved in the research, emphasized the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance to address the dire situation of malnourished children in Gaza. Despite reports from health officials and experts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied claims of starvation in Gaza.
The study also highlighted challenges in data collection due to the ongoing conflict, impacting the accuracy of the results. While efforts are being made to provide aid and address malnutrition in Gaza, the long-term effects of acute malnutrition on children’s health and development remain a significant concern.