UN: Gaza Malnutrition to Impact Generations

Malnutrition among pregnant women and infants in the Gaza Strip will have “consequences for generations,” warned an official from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Andrew Saberton, returning from a mission to the area, described the situation as a “dystopian movie scene.”

According to the UN, one in four residents of Gaza suffers from hunger, including 11,500 pregnant women. 70% of newborns are premature or underweight, compared to 20% before October 2023. Neonatal units are operating at 170% capacity, forcing staff to place multiple infants in the same incubator.

Additionally, 94% of hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, and only 15% of health facilities have maternity wards equipped to handle emergencies. Lack of contraception is leading to unsafe abortions. For 700,000 women and girls, menstruation is a nightmare due to a lack of basic hygiene products. Sexist and sexual violence have increased.

Despite the delivery of medical supplies by UNFPA after the ceasefire, the flow of aid remains insufficient. The agency's funding needs have been met by about one-third, particularly after the reduction in funding from the US.