Children in extreme danger
At least 24.620 Palestinians have already been killed since the start of the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip (as of 17 January 2024), up to 70% of whom are reported to be women and children. More than 10.000 children have been injured and numerous others are missing and probably buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
Triple threat: violence, disease and food shortages
Not only the bombings and the intense violence pose a threat to children’s lives. The cold winter, attacks on vital infrastructure and the extreme lack of food, clean drinking water, electricity, fuel and medicine are also aggravating the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Due to the lack of fuel, there is no water pumping and the waste water cannot be treated. Together with the shortage of clean drinking water, this increases the risk of diseases such as upper respiratory infections, diarrhoea or skin diseases.
A deadly vicious circle
Due to food shortages, there is an increase in cases of severe acute malnutrition. Malnourished children, whose bodies do not have the necessary nutrients, are more vulnerable to serious infections such as acute diarrhoea, which cannot be combated due to the lack of clean drinking water and medication. However, the longer it persists, the more it exacerbates the malnutrition of the children.
We offer comprehensive aid
Whenever possible, UNICEF delivers life-saving supplies such as food, drinking water, vaccines and warm clothing and provides medical equipment to the hospitals that are still functioning.
Our aid on the ground also includes, for example, combating malnutrition by providing therapeutic food. We also supply fuel, take cross-sectoral measures to contain potentially fatal diseases and offer psychosocial support to help children cope with trauma.
In this war, as in all wars, it is above all children who pay the price of conflict. UNICEF is calling for an immediate humanitarian pause and secure access to establish and guarantee the continuity of vital services for children.
