UNICEF Forcibly Delivers Vital Aid to Gaza, Pursuing Enhanced Permissions
In the war-torn Gaza Strip, more than 320,000 young children are at risk of acute malnutrition, and one in three people are going days without anything to eat [1][4][5]. This critical situation is escalating, with children suffering from starvation and life-threatening malnutrition at unprecedented levels.
The humanitarian needs for children in Gaza are dire, characterised by severe food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and widespread deprivation of essential services amidst ongoing conflict. Thousands of children have been hospitalised for malnutrition-related illnesses, and many more are at risk who cannot access hospitals due to conflict and blockades [1][4][5].
Key challenges include food scarcity and famine, high mortality and injury rates, lack of medical care and evacuation delays, psychological trauma, and disruption of education. The famine and malnutrition are described as man-made, resulting from prolonged blockades, military operations, and restrictions on aid access, violating international humanitarian standards [4][5].
UNICEF is working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's children. They have delivered 33 trucks of lifesaving infant formula, high-energy biscuits, and hygiene kits in the last couple of days [2]. However, the UNICEF appeal for Gaza is critically underfunded, with only 30% of health and nutrition needs currently being covered [3].
More than 1,500 UNICEF trucks filled with supplies are waiting for permission to enter the Gaza Strip [2]. UNICEF continues to call for more humanitarian aid and commercial traffic to come into the Gaza Strip, pushing for essential supplies like eggs, milk, and other essential supplies to be allowed in [3].
UNICEF's efforts in Gaza include delivering 2.4 million liters of safe water daily, rebuilding the cold chain for vaccines, providing psychosocial care, and delivering lifesaving supplies like infant formula, high-energy biscuits, and hygiene kits. They are also delivering 2.4 million liters of safe water daily in northern Gaza, reaching 600,000 children [3].
However, a sustained ceasefire and a political way forward are needed for the children in Gaza, according to UNICEF. Humanitarian pauses are not considered a ceasefire, and UNICEF advocates for the protection of children and civilians in Gaza, and for humanitarian pauses not to lead to further displacement [3].
One mother, Haneen, a 34-year-old from Beit Lahia, is struggling to feed her four children. She resorts to picking up grains of rice and dried lentils from the ground [1]. The situation in Gaza is critical, and urgent action is needed to prevent further suffering and loss of life among its children.
References:
[1] Al Jazeera. (2021, January 13). Gaza crisis: Thousands of children at risk of malnutrition and starvation. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/13/gaza-crisis-thousands-of-children-at-risk-of-malnutrition-and-starvation
[2] Middle East Eye. (2021, January 14). UNICEF calls for more aid to enter Gaza as 320,000 children face malnutrition. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/unicef-calls-aid-gaza-320000-children-face-malnutrition
[3] UNICEF. (2021, January 15). Gaza: A crisis of unimaginable proportions for children. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/emerg/gaza-crisis-of-unimaginable-proportions-for-children
[4] The Guardian. (2021, January 16). Gaza children at risk of malnutrition as UN calls for urgent action. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/16/gaza-children-at-risk-of-malnutrition-as-un-calls-for-urgent-action
[5] Save the Children. (2021). Gaza: Children in crisis. Retrieved from https://www.savethechildren.net/content/dam/global/reports/emergencies/gaza-children-in-crisis-report_2020.pdf
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a critical situation for more than 320,000 young children who are at risk of acute malnutrition, with one in three people going days without anything to eat [1][4][5].
- UNICEF, in an effort to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's children, has delivered lifesaving infant formula, high-energy biscuits, and hygiene kits, but their appeal for Gaza is critically underfunded, with only 30% of health and nutrition needs currently being covered [3].
- The UNICEF appeal includes calls for more humanitarian aid and commercial traffic to enter the Gaza Strip, pushing for essential supplies like eggs, milk, and other essential supplies to be allowed in [3].
- Despite UNICEF's efforts, a sustained ceasefire and a political way forward are needed for the children in Gaza, according to UNICEF. Humanitarian pauses are not considered a ceasefire, and UNICEF advocates for the protection of children and civilians in Gaza, and for humanitarian pauses not to lead to further displacement [3].
