Humanitarian Workers in Gaza Facing Massive Malnutrition Crisis Warned by More Than 100 NGOs

Humanitarian Workers in Gaza Facing Massive Malnutrition Crisis Warned by More Than 100 NGOs

In the heart of the Middle East, the coastal enclave of Gaza is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 100 humanitarian and human rights organizations, including Action Against Hunger, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children, ActionAid International, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, have joined forces to urge governments to take decisive action [1][3].

The situation in Gaza is dire. Doctors are reporting record rates of acute malnutrition, especially among children and older people. Illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea are spreading, markets are empty, waste is piling up, and adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration [1]. More than 1000 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food in Gaza, according to the UN [2].

Welthungerhilfe, a large private aid organization based in Germany, is providing aid in the most affected areas of Gaza. The organization offers aid from fast disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organizations [1]. Welthungerhilfe follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to sustainably improve their living conditions [1].

The UN-led humanitarian system has not failed, but has been prevented from functioning due to the Israeli siege. Tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items, and fuel sit untouched due to the Government of Israel's restrictions [2]. Piecemeal arrangements and symbolic gestures, like airdrops or flawed aid deals, cannot replace states' legal and moral obligations to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure meaningful access at scale [2].

Governments must take decisive action to end the siege in Gaza. They must demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions, open all land crossings, and ensure access to everyone in all of Gaza [1]. States must also reject military-controlled distribution models and restore a principled, UN-led humanitarian response [2]. Furthermore, they must continue to fund principled and impartial humanitarian organizations [1].

The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that current conditions make operations untenable in Gaza [2]. The EU and Israel announced steps to scale up aid on July 10, but there is no real change on the ground, and every day without a sustained flow means more people dying of preventable illnesses [2].

Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly two million Palestinians, confining them to less than 12% of Gaza [2]. Since its founding in 1962, Welthungerhilfe has supported over 12,000 overseas projects in about 72 countries with a total of 5.07 billion euros [2].

The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is considered a war crime [2]. The Israeli government's siege of Gaza has led to a shortage of food, causing aid workers to join food lines and risk being shot [2].

Grassroots advocacy groups are also activating citizens to pressure governments. For example, campaigns urge U.S. officials to publicly condemn the siege and starvation in Gaza, call for humanitarian access, and consider legislation to limit military aid to Israel [4].

In sum, this broad coalition of over 100 organizations across multiple countries and sectors demands governments urgently end the siege on Gaza by opening aid corridors, enabling impartial aid delivery led by UN agencies, stopping weapon transfers, and achieving a ceasefire to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering currently experienced by civilians in Gaza [1][2][3][4].

1. The development cooperation of organizations like Action Against Hunger, Oxfam, and the Norwegian Refugee Council focuses on addressing the nutrition needs of inhabitants in Gaza.
2. The situation in Gaza requires urgent action, as doctors report record rates of acute malnutrition, particularly among children and older people.
3. Chronic kidney disease, COPD, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases are exacerbated by the dire conditions in Gaza.
4. Workplace-wellness programs aimed at improving overall health and fitness would benefit Gaza's strained workforce, but resources and access are limited.
5. In the midst of the humanitarian crisis, research in science and medicine is essential to provide effective therapies and treatments for the various medical conditions affecting the population.
6. Digestive health issues, eye health problems, and hearing impairments are a significant concern for many Gaza residents, and effective therapies and treatments are needed.
7. The health and wellness of Gaza's citizens is being strained by the ongoing humanitarian crisis and lack of access to healthcare services.
8. Fitness and exercise continue to be important for maintaining overall health, but access to gyms and equipment is limited in Gaza.
9. Sexual health education and resources are crucial for the population in Gaza, as an increase in sexually transmitted diseases has been reported.
10. Alzheimers disease, autoimmune disorders, and other neurological disorders are prevalent in Gaza, and more needs to be done to support the affected individuals and their families.
11. The health of men is often overlooked, but men's health initiatives and resources are essential in Gaza, where men are at a higher risk of developing certain conditions.
12. Skin care is important for maintaining overall health, but access to effective treatments and resources for skin conditions is limited in Gaza.
13. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has also impacted mental health, with reports of increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
14. Mindfulness practices, counseling, and other resources can help Gaza's residents cope with the stress of the humanitarian crisis.
15. War and conflicts have been a stark reality in Gaza, and their impact on the population's physical and mental health cannot be ignored.
16. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to a decline in productivity and career development opportunities for many individuals.
17. Economic policies and legislation need to be addressed to support job creation and ensure a sustainable future for Gaza's economy.
18. Car accidents, fires, and other accidents are a daily concern for Gaza's residents, and more needs to be done to improve safety standards.
19. Learning and education remain crucial for the overall development of Gaza, but access to quality education and resources is limited.
20. Goal-setting is an important tool for achieving personal growth and lifelong learning, but many in Gaza lack the resources and support to set and achieve their goals.
21. Skills training and workshops can help Gaza's residents develop the skills needed to secure better job opportunities.
22. The migration of people out of Gaza is a growing concern, with many seeking better opportunities and access to resources in other countries.
23. Migrants from Gaza often face challenges in their new countries, including language barriers, cultural differences, and discrimination.
24. Education and self-development programs for migrants are essential to help them adjust to their new environments and succeed in their new lives.
25. Older adults living in Gaza face unique challenges, including isolation, limited access to healthcare and resources, and a lack of social support.
26. Parenting education and resources are crucial for ensuring the well-being of children in Gaza, who are at a higher risk of developing medical conditions and facing other challenges.
27. Weight management is an important aspect of overall health, but access to healthy food and resources for weight management is limited in Gaza.
28. Diseases like multiple sclerosis, migraines, and psoriasis are impacting the lives of many Gaza residents, and more needs to be done to support those affected and research potential therapies and treatments.

Read also: