World Health Organization Raises Concerns Over Ongoing Famine Risk in Gaza

On Friday WHO said that the threat of famine is still present over the Gaza strip.

Rik Peeperkorn who is WHO’s representative to the Palestinian Territories said that though food has reached in Gaza Strip still there are high risks of famine.

Israeli forces have been attacking the coastal strip of Gaza for six months. This is happening after the operation and attacks launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7. The situation is not stable in the region. 

World Health Org. reported that more than 40 severely malnourished children under the age of 5 have been brought to hospitals in the Gaza Strip with additional health problems since March 2024.

The normal healthy average weight of 2-year-old children is 10 to 14 kg, but some 2-year-old children in Gaza weigh as little as 2 kg. Which is a matter of concern.

Malnutrition was not in this area before this war started in October 2023. This malnutrition will have far-reaching effects on the future of the people of Gaza.

Ahmed Dahir, WHO’s top doctor in Gaza, said that we cannot say that the risk of famine in Gaza does not exist or that the risk is past.

Palestinian health officials report that about 25 children have died due to malnutrition in recent weeks.

The cause of death is not only hunger but malnutrition also contributes to it.

Since the situation in the Gaza area is not stable the lives of innocent people are important. WHO should take some serious steps by collaborating with other countries to fight hunger in the Gaza area.

Israel’s strike in Gaza killed more than 34,596 people, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. A large number are women and children.