According to Salim Oweis, a spokesperson for UNICEF in Amman, Jordan, the supply of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is running dangerously low and is expected to be depleted by mid-August if the situation does not improve. This scarcity poses a significant threat to children who are currently experiencing hunger and malnutrition.
UNICEF currently has only enough RUTF to treat 3000 children, despite having treated 5000 children facing acute malnutrition in Gaza in the first two weeks of July. These nutrient-dense RUTF supplies, such as high-energy biscuits and peanut paste enriched with milk powder, are crucial for treating severe malnutrition.
The World Health Organization has also voiced concerns about the dwindling supplies of malnutrition treatment resources in Gaza, stating that if not replenished soon, the remaining supplies will run out. This shortage could potentially disrupt a program aimed at preventing malnutrition among pregnant women and children under five in Gaza.
The scarcity of food stocks in Gaza can be attributed to Israel’s blockade of the territory, which was lifted in May with restrictions to prevent aid diversion to militant groups. However, international aid agencies report that only a minimal amount of essential supplies, including medicine, are reaching the people in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with malnutrition rates on the rise. As international organizations work to improve aid distribution in Gaza, Save the Children highlights the urgent need to replenish supplies to continue providing essential care for malnourished children.
From April to mid-July, UNICEF reported admitting 20,504 children with acute malnutrition, with 3247 suffering from severe acute malnutrition. This surge in malnutrition cases underscores the urgent need for adequate resources to prevent further casualties among children in Gaza.
The WHO reported that 21 children under five years old have died from malnutrition this year, emphasizing the severity of the crisis. The Gaza health ministry also confirmed two additional deaths from starvation, bringing the total number of fatalities to 113, with most occurring in recent weeks.
The dire situation in Gaza calls for immediate action to address the shortage of therapeutic food supplies and prevent further loss of life among malnourished children.
