According to humanitarian sector partners, the rate of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza is now at an all-time high.
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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has informed that access to relief materials in Gaza is very limited, and the crisis of hunger and malnutrition among civilians, including children, is deepening day by day.
According to humanitarian sector partners, the rate of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza is now at an all-time high. In the month of July, out of about 136,000 children, almost 12,000 children were in acute malnutrition. More than 2,500 of them have severe malnutrition, in which about 40 children need to be hospitalized immediately.
According to OCHA, 18 percent of children with acute malnutrition in May and June were in very severe condition, which is a significant increase compared to 12 percent seen in March and April.
United Nations partner organizations have expressed concern that essential nutritional supplies are not reaching Gaza and this will further complicate the situation. According to them, if the relief supply is not done smoothly and continuously, the situation of more children due to malnutrition is likely to become serious.
After some commercial goods entered Gaza in the last few days, although some food is available in the local market and prices have decreased slightly, OCHA has made it clear that regular, safe and uninterrupted relief supplies are essential for a lasting solution.
In addition, OCHA has informed that the lack of shelter materials is also becoming serious. Most of the families are still forced to live in overcrowded, unsafe and inhuman conditions. Some are completely homeless, making their lives even more difficult.
Although Israel has announced that it will provide 'safe passage' for the delivery of relief materials, the reality of the local situation is different, according to the United Nations. Still, many relief vehicles are facing blockages, delays and dangerous conditions. In some cases, the relief teams had to wait up to 18 hours.
Similarly, the supply of fuel is also very limited and uncertain, which has seriously affected the operation of essential services and distribution of relief. It is also disrupting basic service systems such as health, drinking water, and communication.
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners have called on all concerned parties to ensure smooth, safe and sustainable humanitarian access, so that all affected people, including the innocent children of Gaza, can receive the necessary assistance.
