Al Jazeera
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has recorded concerning rates of chronic malnutrition in a new population-based nutrition survey conducted in accessible areas of the Gaza Strip, despite observing “relatively low acute malnutrition”.
The study was conducted between May 31 and June 15 following “a substantial expansion of humanitarian assistance after the October 2025 ceasefire,” the aid agency reported.
“Around 17 per cent of Gaza’s population, some 358,000 people, was excluded from the sampling frame before cluster selection because of access and security constraints,” UNICEF said.
It revealed “a complex nutritional picture” with “concerning rates of chronic malnutrition (stunting), maternal malnutrition, very poor dietary quality, suboptimal infant and young child feeding practices, and a substantial burden of childhood illness”.
“Children’s nutrition improves when aid and commercial supplies reach them,” said UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder.
“Acute malnutrition can improve within weeks. The wider damage does not,” said Beigbeder. “Children need safe water, health care, and diverse and nutritious food – not only enough calories to survive.”
The study was conducted between May 31 and June 15 following “a substantial expansion of humanitarian assistance after the October 2025 ceasefire,” the aid agency reported.
“Around 17 per cent of Gaza’s population, some 358,000 people, was excluded from the sampling frame before cluster selection because of access and security constraints,” UNICEF said.
It revealed “a complex nutritional picture” with “concerning rates of chronic malnutrition (stunting), maternal malnutrition, very poor dietary quality, suboptimal infant and young child feeding practices, and a substantial burden of childhood illness”.
“Children’s nutrition improves when aid and commercial supplies reach them,” said UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder.
“Acute malnutrition can improve within weeks. The wider damage does not,” said Beigbeder. “Children need safe water, health care, and diverse and nutritious food – not only enough calories to survive.”
