The famine is ravaging the Gaza Strip and is expected to lead to an increase in illnesses across the Strip, particularly among children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and seniors.
In new estimates released today, the global Integrated Phase Classification of Food Security (IPC) partnership, which includes the WHO, says Gaza faces "catastrophic levels of food insecurity and is at risk of famine." increasing from day to day.”
Never before, 93% of Gaza's population suffers from critical levels of hunger, food insecurity and high levels of malnutrition. At least one in four families face “catastrophic conditions”: extreme food shortages and hunger, as well as the sale of their possessions and other extreme measures to afford a simple meal. Hunger, poverty and death are visible.
During recent missions to the northern Gaza Strip, WHO officials said everyone interviewed in Gaza was hungry. Everywhere they went, including hospitals and emergency rooms, people begged for food. “We are moving through Gaza delivering medical supplies, and people are rushing toward our trucks hoping it will be food,” they said, calling it “a sign of desperation.”
infectious diseases develop
There is already a rapid increase in infectious diseases in Gaza. More than 100,000 cases of diarrhoea have been reported since mid-October. Half of these affect young children under the age of five and the number of cases is 25 times higher than those reported before the conflict.
More than 150,000 cases of upper respiratory tract infections have been reported, as well as numerous cases of meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice and chickenpox. Hepatitis is also suspected because many people experience the symptoms characteristic of jaundice.
While a healthy body can fight these diseases more easily, an exhausted and weakened body will fight them. Starvation weakens the body's defence mechanisms and opens the door to disease.
Malnutrition increases children's risk of dying from diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia and measles, particularly in settings where they do not have access to vital health services.
Even if the child survives, wasting can have lasting effects by stunting growth and impairing cognitive development.
Breastfeeding mothers are also at high risk of malnutrition. From 0 to 6 months old, breast milk is the best and safest food a baby can receive. This protects the child from malnutrition and life-threatening diseases such as diarrhoea, especially when access to clean water is very limited.
Mental health problems, which are increasing among Gaza's population, including women, could have an even greater impact on breastfeeding rates.
Poor sanitation and the collapse of the health system contribute to this toxic mix Over 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes and over 1.4 million are living in overcrowded accommodations. These conditions favour a further increase in the number of infectious diseases. Currently, there is an average of only one shower per 4,500 people and one toilet per 220 people in Gaza. Drinking water is still scarce and the number of open defecations is increasing. These conditions make the spread of infectious diseases inevitable.
Unfortunately, access to health services across the Gaza Strip has rapidly deteriorated as the war continues to degrade the health system. With the health system in tatters, those facing the deadly combination of hunger and disease have few options.
The people of Gaza, who have suffered enough, now face death from starvation and disease that can be easily treated with a functioning health system. That has to stop. Food and other relief supplies must flow in much larger quantities. The WHO reiterates its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.