UNRWA: Gaza children dying before our eyes due to shortage of medical supplies
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has sounded the alarm over a surge in child malnutrition in Gaza, warning that the rate of acute malnutrition among children under five has doubled between March and June due to the Israeli blockade.
UNRWA medical teams conducted nearly 74,000 screenings across Gaza during this period, uncovering approximately 5,500 cases of moderate acute malnutrition and over 800 instances of severe acute malnutrition.
The agency has already treated more than 3,500 children in Gaza for malnutrition this year. In addition, the agency has provided more than 9 million health consultations, averaging 15,000 dailies.
No other health provider in Gaza delivers primary care on this scale,” the agency stated. That scale, however, is increasingly unsustainable
According to UNRWA, over half of its facilities, 188 sites, are located within Israeli-designated military zones or areas marked for evacuation, severely hampering operations. Only six health centers and 22 stationary medical points remain operational, supported by 22 mobile units.
UNRWA has warned that its medical services are nearing collapse, with 57% of essential supplies already depleted amid a severe resource shortage.
“Children are dying before our eyes because we lack both the medical supplies and sustainable food needed to treat them,” the agency said.
The agency added that, due to the Israeli blockade, it has completely run out of drugs for hypertension, parasitic infections, fungal diseases, eye inflammation, and skin conditions. Oral antibiotics for adults are no longer available.
UNRWA revealed that only two of its water wells remain operational—down from ten before the war—while 41 smaller wells continue to function inside its shelters.
The agency cautioned that ongoing fuel restrictions threaten to bring lifesaving services to a halt unless sustainable fuel supplies are allowed into Gaza.
Two months ago, UNRWA was forced to cease water and sanitation services for 25,000 displaced people in northern Gaza following evacuation orders issued by Israeli occupation forces.
@E.Y.M