Gaza crisis - emergency aid for children
UNICEF and partners are on the ground in Gaza, delivering humanitarian assistance
The entire population of Gaza – approximately 2.1 million people – is facing starvation. After more than eleven weeks without any humanitarian aid, UNICEF trucks entered Gaza in mid-May, delivering life-saving aid to malnourished children.
The entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza is a welcome change that should remain in place, but this initial delivery is just a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.
Nearly half a million people are on the brink of famine. It is estimated that nearly 71,000 children under the age of five will be acutely malnourished in the next 10 months, and more than 14,100 children could die from hunger. Nearly 17,000 pregnant and lactating women will also need treatment for acute malnutrition.
Despite the extremely dangerous and difficult situation, UNICEF remains on the ground. Using newly arrived and previously stored food and medicine supplies, we are doing everything we can to help the children and families of Gaza:
Between March and April, more than 85,000 children were screened for malnutrition, and around 3,500 diagnosed children were admitted to treatment programs with special, life-saving therapeutic foods.
Tens of thousands of children received food supplements and food items to prevent hunger and malnutrition.
1.5 million people have access to drinking water.
200,000 people, mostly from vulnerable groups, received multi-purpose cash transfers to enable them to purchase food, water and hygiene supplies.
Learning centers have been enabled, which 50,000 children attend instead of school.
Thanks to donations from citizens, UNICEF and other United Nations agencies have been helping deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to children and families since October 2023. 1,000 UNICEF trucks with food, medicine and other supplies are ready to enter Gaza as soon as possible.
UNICEF strongly advocates for a complete lifting of the blockade and the resumption of humanitarian assistance for the children and families of Gaza.
“We urge all parties to immediately reinstate the ceasefire, and we call on countries with influence to use their leverage to ensure the situation does not further deteriorate. International humanitarian law must be respected by all parties, allowing the immediate provision of humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians, and the release of all hostages.”