What Happened: UNICEF warns that 90% of children in Gaza suffer from severe food poverty due to conflict and aid restrictions.
What you need to know: UNICEF reported on Thursday that 90% of children in Gaza are not getting enough variety in their diets to support healthy growth and development. Due to ongoing conflict and restrictions on humanitarian aid, Gaza’s food and health systems have collapsed, leading to severe consequences for children and their families.
What more: Data from December 2023 to April 2024 shows that most children are suffering from severe food poverty, surviving on only two or fewer food groups daily. This situation reflects the dire impact of the conflict and restrictions on families’ ability to meet children’s nutritional needs, increasing the risk of life-threatening malnutrition. Israel claims it imposes no limits on humanitarian supplies but faces criticism for slow aid delivery. With famine conditions emerging and child malnutrition deaths occurring, even Israel’s allies are urging it to improve food access.
Also: To meet dietary needs, children should consume foods from at least five of eight defined food groups. Globally, 27% of young children, or 181 million, live in severe food poverty. The current crisis in Gaza follows a major escalation after Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023.