Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

Despite a ceasefire agreement with Israel, the Gaza Strip faces a critical shortage of food supplies. The current humanitarian situation remains dire as aid fails to reach the most affected areas.

Humanitarian Aid Agreement

The ceasefire agreement stipulated that Israel would permit 600 humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza daily. However, this number has been reduced to 300 trucks per day due to logistical challenges related to retrieving bodies of Israeli captives.

According to the UN2720 Monitoring and Tracking Dashboard, from October 10-16, only 216 trucks successfully delivered aid to Gaza. Truck drivers have reported significant delays due to extended Israeli inspections.

Current Aid Challenges

While some food aid has entered Gaza recently, there is a severe shortage of medical supplies, therapeutic nutrition, and medicines. The most impoverished, particularly malnourished children, are in desperate need of these resources.

Current supplies include wheat, rice, sugar, oil, fuel, and cooking gas. However, most residents cannot afford these items due to depleted savings.

Calls for Increased Aid Access

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has called for the opening of more border crossings to facilitate humanitarian aid. Fletcher emphasized the legal obligation to provide aid to civilians.

Since the ceasefire, 137 World Food Programme trucks have entered Gaza, supporting bakeries and food distribution programs. The goal remains to increase the influx of food rapidly, contingent on the ceasefire holding.

Restrictions on UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a significant aid provider for Palestinians, faces restrictions by Israeli authorities. The agency has enough food stored in Jordan and Egypt to supply Gaza for three months. However, these supplies have not been permitted entry.

Impact of Malnutrition

As of October 12, 463 individuals, including 157 children, have died from starvation due to the blockade. Severe acute malnutrition affects nearly one in four children.

Re-feeding syndrome poses a risk when reintroducing food after prolonged starvation. Therefore, nutritional aid must be carefully managed to prevent this potentially fatal condition.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 90% of children under two years in Gaza lack a diversified diet. Immediate food aid is necessary to prevent further malnutrition among vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.