Gaza: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has raised concerns over increasing malnutrition rates among children in the Gaza Strip. The agency reported that one in every ten children is currently malnourished, based on data collected from its clinics and medical points throughout the region.
According to Emirates News Agency, during a press briefing in Geneva, UNRWA's Director of Communications, Juliette Touma, stated that malnutrition rates have risen, particularly since the siege intensified four months ago. UNRWA health teams have screened over 240,000 children across the Gaza Strip since January 2024.
Touma also highlighted the critical shortage of therapeutic supplies needed to combat malnutrition among children. The agency is experiencing severe shortages in medicines, nutritional supplies, fuel, and hygiene materials, having exhausted its food stocks in late April.
Additionally, nearly 60 percent of essential medicines have been depleted from UNRWA's warehouses following the Israeli forces' ban on bringing in humanitarian aid, including food and medicines, since March 2.
Addressing the situation in the occupied West Bank, Touma described the ongoing Israeli aggression as a silent war, escalating alongside the situation in Gaza. This is exacerbated by severe restrictions on freedom of movement, rising poverty, and unemployment due to loss of livelihoods.
Despite these challenges, Touma emphasized that UNRWA continues its operations across the occupied Palestinian territory with a workforce of 14,000 local staff, providing crucial services in healthcare and education to Palestinian refugees and others in need.