UN, WHO warn of ‘explosion’ in Gaza child deaths
GENEVA (AFP) – An alarming lack of food, surging malnutrition and the rampant spread of disease could spark an explosion in child deaths in Gaza, the United Nations warned on Monday.
Twenty weeks into Israel’s deeply traumatized children war against militant group are more likely to get sick, and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, UN children who are sick, especially agencies warned that food with diarrhea, cannot and safe water had become absorb nutrients well,” he said. “incredibly scarce” in the Palestinian “It’s dangerous, and tragic, and territory, adding that happening before our eyes.” virtually all young children Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on had infectious illnesses. southern Israel resulted in the
“The Gaza Strip is poised deaths of about 1,160 people to witness an explosion in in Israel, mostly civilians, preventable child deaths according to an AFP tally of which would compound the Israeli official figures. already unbearable level of Israel’s assault on Gaza child deaths in Gaza,” said has killed more than 29,000 Ted Chaiban, deputy head of people, mostly women and humanitarian action at the UN children, according to the children’s agency Unicef. Hamas-run territory’s Health
At least 90 percent of chilMinistry. dren under five in Gaza are afSince the start of the war, fected by one or more infectious Gaza has been plunged into a diseases, according to a joint nutrition crisis, with outside assessment by the UN agencies aid severely restricted. for children, food and health. The UN assessment indicated
Seventy percent had had diarrhea that more than 15 per in the two weeks prior cent of children under the to the assessment, marking age of two in northern Gaza a 23-fold increase compared – one in six – were acutely with the 2022 baseline. malnourished, while three per
“Hunger and disease are a cent were suffering from lifethreatening deadly combination,” World severe wasting. Health Organization emergencies “As the data was collected director Mike Ryan said in in January, the situation is likely a statement. to be even graver today,”
“Hungry, weakened and the UN agencies warned.