At Least 57 Children Dead From Malnutrition As Gaza Starves Under Ongoing Aid Blockade: WHO

The deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid in Gaza since 2 March has triggered a hunger crisis which WHO's representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Dr. Rik Peeperkorn termed as 'one of the world's worst hunger crises, unfolding in real time.'

Due to the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid in Gaza since 2 March, at least 57 people have reportedly died from the impacts of malnutrition, says the Ministry of Health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this number is likely to increase. The humanitarian aid includes food as well as basic and essential supplies to aid the diseases, weak, injured, pregnant women and the elderly. The United Nations state that if this situation persists, nearly 71,000 children under the age of five may perish due to acute malnourishment over the next 11 months.

Along with children, the entire population of Gaza which is about 2.1 million people are facing prolonged food shortages. Nearly half a million are in a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death. This is one of the world's worst hunger crises, unfolding in real time. WHO's representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Dr. Rik Peeperkorn termed this catastrophe as 'one of the world's worst hunger crises, unfolding in real time.'

What Does The Food Security Analysis Report Say?

According to the latest food security analysis, released on May 12 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) partnership, of which WHO is a member.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "We do not need to wait for a declaration of famine in Gaza to know that people are already starving, sick and dying, while food and medicines are minutes away across the border, today's report shows that without immediate access to food and essential supplies, the situation will continue to deteriorate, causing more deaths and descent into famine."

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn briefed the media in Geneva saying that Israel's complete aid embargo has left only enough WHO supplies to treat 500 children with acute malnutrition "a fraction of the urgent need".

"People are trapped in this cycle where a lack of diversified food, malnutrition and disease fuel each other," he warned.

Dr. Peeperkorn further insisted on the long-term damages that will come as a result of malnutrition. This "can last a lifetime." Its impacts include severe health concerns like stunted growth, impaired cognitive development and health.

He also warned that without enough nutritious food, clean water, access to health care, an entire generation will be permanently affected.