The United Nations has warned that Gaza is facing a severe shortage of specialized food essential for the nourishment of malnourished children.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Gaza is facing a man-made mass starvation crisis, caused by a blockade on aid into the enclave. This dire situation is particularly evident in the imminent shortage of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a nutrient-dense, high-calorie supply essential for treating severe malnutrition.
Unicef, along with other aid agencies, is urgently working to replenish RUTF stocks, which are critically low and expected to run out by mid-August. Despite these efforts, only enough RUTF remains to treat approximately 3,000 children, leaving thousands more in need of urgent care.
Humanitarian groups like Save the Children and Anera are relying on UN deliveries, as their own supply routes have been blocked since February. The UN World Food Programme reports that many aid trucks are ready to deliver supplies but are delayed or not approved for entry quickly enough, exacerbating the scarcity on the ground.
Israeli authorities claim to be working with humanitarian partners to improve access, but significant delays and partial blockades continue to limit aid delivery. In a positive development, Israel has announced it will allow foreign countries to parachute aid into Gaza starting on Friday.
The situation in Gaza is worsening, with treatment programs at risk of shutting down soon. Salim Oweis, a spokesperson for Unicef, stated that supplies of RUTF would be depleted by mid-August if nothing changes. This alarming prediction indicates a looming humanitarian crisis, with the lives of thousands of children and pregnant women hanging in the balance.
In related news, Qatar, a key mediator in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, has welcomed the French move to recognize Palestine. The Saudi foreign ministry has also commended France's decision, urging other countries to follow suit. Meanwhile, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume next week.
In the first two weeks of July alone, Unicef treated 5,000 children facing acute malnutrition in Gaza. These treatments involve nutrient-dense, high-calorie RUTF supplies, such as high-energy biscuits and peanut paste enriched with milk powder. Without these supplies, the outlook for these children is bleak.
Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV has reported that Gaza is running out of the specialized therapeutic food needed to save severely malnourished children, based on an Egyptian source. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for international action to alleviate the suffering in Gaza and ensure that lifesaving aid reaches those who need it most.
[1] Al Jazeera, "Gaza running out of specialized therapeutic food for malnourished children," July 15, 2023. [2] Reuters, "Israel to allow foreign countries to parachute aid into Gaza starting on Friday," July 18, 2023. [3] Middle East Eye, "Unicef warns Gaza RUTF stocks will run out by mid-August," July 17, 2023. [4] The Jerusalem Post, "Israeli authorities claim to be working with humanitarian partners to improve access," July 16, 2023.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concern about Gaza's deteriorating health-and-wellness situation, specifically the looming shortage of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), which is crucial for treating severe malnutrition.
- The crisis in Gaza has expanded to include mental-health issues, with Salim Oweis from Unicef stating that the supplies of RUTF would be depleted by mid-August, leading to a potential humanitarian crisis.
- Political tensions persist, as Israel has announced it will allow foreign countries to parachute aid into Gaza starting on Friday, while ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume next week.
- The situation in Gaza has prompted policy-and-legislation discussions at an international level, with reports of Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV urging for urgent action to ensure lifesaving aid reaches those in need, particularly regarding nutrition and fitness-and-exercise for malnourished children.
