Desperate Measures: Food Shortages in Gaza Strip
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to dire consequences for the people of Gaza, particularly in terms of food shortages. Displaced Gazans in the Rafah area have been resorting to desperate measures to feed their families, such as diluting baby milk powder in too much water or giving children only one meal a day. Despite limited aid deliveries, there is still not enough food for everyone, resulting in malnutrition and sickness among children.
Limited Aid Deliveries
The Rafah area, located at the southern tip of Gaza on the border with Egypt, has been the only region in the Palestinian enclave to receive some aid deliveries over the past four days, according to the UN humanitarian office. However, even with these deliveries, there is still a severe shortage of food. Parents are struggling to provide for their families, and children are suffering as a result.
Desperate Measures
Zakaria Rehan, a father in one of the makeshift displacement camps, shared his struggle to feed his baby boy, Yazan. He explained that he had to dilute baby milk powder in water to make it seem like milk, even though it provided no nutrition. Other families in the camp face similar challenges, with limited access to food and no means to cook it. Some have resorted to eating raw beans from aid deliveries because there is no fuel for cooking fires.
Insufficient Aid
While there is some aid that comes into Gaza, it is far from enough to meet the needs of all the families. A can of beans or meat meant for 10 people is not sufficient for even one person. The situation has worsened since the end of a week-long truce on December 1, as the number of aid trucks entering from Egypt has decreased and distribution has been hindered by intense combat.
The Only Meal of the Day
In one tent at the Rafah school camp, three children were seen eating rice out of a single pan. Their mother, Yosra Al-Deeb, expressed her frustration and exhaustion, stating that this would be their only meal for the day. She explained that her children used to have nutritious meals at home and rarely got sick, but in the camp, they are constantly ill with stomach flu.
Naji Shallah, another resident of the camp, was preparing a meal of chopped tomatoes and green peppers for his children. He emphasized the scarcity of food, saying that if he could find bread for his children, it would be like having a pound of gold. His children are dehydrated due to the lack of food and water, and one of his sons has lost a significant amount of weight.
The Devastating Toll
Since the war began on October 7, the death toll in Gaza has risen to over 17,000 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. UN humanitarian chief Volker Turk has described the living conditions in Gaza as “apocalyptic.” The ongoing conflict has not only caused immense loss of life but has also resulted in severe food shortages and malnutrition among the population.
Conclusion
The people of Gaza are facing an unimaginable crisis as food shortages continue to worsen. Displaced families in the Rafah area are resorting to desperate measures to feed their children, diluting baby milk powder and relying on limited aid deliveries. The situation is dire, and immediate action is needed to ensure that sufficient food reaches those in need. The international community must come together to provide assistance and support to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.