WHO warns of permanent impact of hunger on a generation of Gazans
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Malnutrition rates are rising in Gaza and hunger could have lasting impacts on “an entire generation”, the World Health Organisation’s representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory said on Tuesday.
Rik Peeperkorn said he had seen children in clinics who looked years younger than their age.
“Without enough nutritious food, clean water and access to health care, an entire generation will be permanently affected,” Peeperkorn told a press briefing by video link from Deir al-Balah, warning of poor health, stunting and impaired cognitive development.
Pascal Hundt, deputy director of operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross said last week that civilians in Gaza faced “an overwhelming daily struggle to survive the dangers of hostilities, cope with relentless displacement, and endure the consequences of being deprived of urgent humanitarian assistance.”
He added: “This situation must not—and cannot—be allowed to escalate further.”
But it might, if Israel continues the plunge deeper into war that resumed on 18 March when it broke a two-month ceasefire with a massive series of air strikes.
Israel had already sealed the gates of Gaza. Since the beginning of March, it has blocked all shipments of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies.
The return to war ended any chance of moving on to the ceasefire’s proposed second phase, which Israel and Hamas had agreed would end with the release of all the remaining hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
