Tragic situation arises in Gaza as children perish at an alarming pace, with approximately 320,000 children facing severe malnutrition. UNICEF speaks out against this dire circumstance.
In the war-torn region of Gaza, the situation is critical, with an alarming number of children dying and many more at risk of malnutrition. According to a report by UNICEF, over 320,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition, a figure that underscores the gravity of the crisis.
The high rate of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza is primarily caused by the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from nearly two years of escalating violence, total siege, mass displacement, and the collapse of essential services and infrastructure. This has led to catastrophic food insecurity, widespread starvation, and a breakdown in healthcare, with over 20,000 children hospitalized for acute malnutrition and at least 16 deaths among children under five since mid-July 2025.
Key causes of the crisis include continuous conflict and violence severely damaging 70% of Gaza's infrastructure, reducing access to food, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. A total Israeli-imposed siege blocking the entry of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid has drastically limited nutritional supplements and medical treatment. Mass displacement has worsened living conditions and food access, with "safe zones" reduced to less than 12% of the Gaza Strip. High malnutrition rates among pregnant and breastfeeding women, up to 40% or more, have compromised the nutritional status of infants and young children. Nearly all children aged 6-23 months and pregnant/breastfeeding women are unable to meet their nutritional needs.
Current interventions focus on providing therapeutic nutritional supplements and treatment for malnourished children and women through humanitarian organizations such as Action Against Hunger and Save the Children operating clinics and hospitals in Gaza. These efforts also include supplying safe drinking water, promoting hygiene, and care services to prevent disease that can exacerbate malnutrition. Urgent appeals have been made to lift the siege and allow unrestricted humanitarian aid to enter Gaza to prevent famine and reduce child mortality.
Despite ongoing efforts by nearly 100 professionals from Action Against Hunger and other agencies, the situation remains critical. Aid is constrained by access limitations and the sheer scale of the crisis, prompting calls from UNICEF and global aid agencies for immediate, large-scale humanitarian intervention.
[1] UNICEF. (2025). Gaza Crisis: Over 320,000 Children at Risk of Acute Malnutrition. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/gaza-crisis-over-320000-children-risk-acute-malnutrition
[2] Action Against Hunger. (2025). Gaza Crisis: Urgent Action Needed to Address Malnutrition. [online] Available at: https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/gaza-crisis-urgent-action-needed-to-address-malnutrition
[3] Save the Children. (2025). Gaza Crisis: Over 320,000 Children at Risk of Acute Malnutrition. [online] Available at: https://www.savethechildren.org/gaza-crisis-over-320000-children-at-risk-of-acute-malnutrition
[4] World Health Organization. (2025). Gaza Crisis: Over 20,000 Children Hospitalized for Acute Malnutrition. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles/detail/gaza-crisis-over-20000-children-hospitalized-for-acute-malnutrition
The critical situation in Gaza has resulted in a high number of children being at risk of acute malnutrition, as stated in the UNICEF report. This health-and-wellness concern is partly due to the lack of nutritional supplements and medical treatment caused by the Israeli-imposed siege and the collapse of essential services. The science of nutrition plays a crucial role in combating this crisis, with humanitarian organizations like Action Against Hunger and Save the Children providing therapeutic nutritional supplements to malnourished children and women.
