Over 54,600 Children Face Acute Malnutrition Crisis in Gaza

A recent study by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) reveals that over 54,600 children under five in the Gaza Strip are suffering from acute malnutrition. This alarming statistic highlights the severe impact of ongoing conflict and humanitarian restrictions in the region. The study, published in The Lancet, indicates that these children are either acutely or severely malnourished, conditions that pose critical risks to their health and survival.

Acute malnutrition, commonly referred to as wasting, occurs when a child is significantly too thin for their height, indicating rapid weight loss and an inadequate intake of essential nutrients. In the Unrwa study, researchers assessed the nutritional status of children by measuring the circumference of their upper arms using a calibrated tape, a standard method for identifying malnutrition. Children diagnosed with wasting require ongoing treatment with therapeutic food over several weeks, and in severe cases, may need hospitalization. Unfortunately, resources for such treatment in Gaza are severely limited.

Dr. Masako Horino, a nutrition epidemiologist at Unrwa and the lead scientist for the study, noted that evidence prior to October 2023 suggested that children from Palestinian refugee families had been food insecure with limited dietary diversity. “They were only marginally underweight,” Dr. Horino explained, attributing this to regular access to food aid before the recent escalation of conflict. She emphasized the grim reality that following two years of war and severe humanitarian aid restrictions, tens of thousands of preschool-aged children in Gaza now face preventable malnutrition and heightened mortality risks.

Experts warn that the current crisis may not only affect these children but could also have long-term implications for future generations. In a joint statement, Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta from Aga Khan University, Dr. Jessica Fanzo of Columbia University, and Dr. Paul Wise from Stanford University School of Medicine highlighted serious concerns about the intergenerational effects of malnutrition. They noted that starvation and food restrictions in childhood are linked to increased risks of non-communicable diseases and reduced life expectancy.

In total, Unrwa staff screened 219,783 children aged between six months and five years from January 2024 to mid-August 2025. They measured mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) at 16 health centres and 78 medical points across five governorates in Gaza. The study estimated the prevalence of acute malnutrition based on the total estimated child population of 346,000 in the territory. Researchers observed an unprecedented increase in child malnutrition following prolonged periods of blockades and severe aid restrictions.

Encouragingly, during a six-week ceasefire in early 2025, when humanitarian aid was allowed to flow into Gaza, there was a notable decline in wasting by March 2025. However, the situation remains dire. The UN Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported famine conditions in Gaza City as of August 15, 2025, with critical conditions persisting across the rest of the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Akihiro Seita, Unrwa’s director of health and a senior author of the study, expressed grave concerns for the future. He stated that unless there is a lasting cessation of hostilities paired with unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance, the nutritional status of children in Gaza will continue to deteriorate, leading to increased mortality rates.

The ongoing conflict poses significant obstacles to addressing this humanitarian crisis. Without immediate international intervention and support for nutritional, medical, and social services, the implications for children in Gaza and their future will be devastating.