N※N

Food and Wine
Source : (remove) : Reuters
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Food and Wine
Source : (remove) : Reuters
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Exclusive-Gaza running out of specialised food to save malnourished children

Exclusive: Gaza Running Out of Specialised Food to Treat Malnourished Children Amid Ongoing Crisis

In the war-torn enclave of Gaza, a dire humanitarian emergency is unfolding as supplies of specialized therapeutic food, essential for treating severely malnourished children, are rapidly depleting. According to exclusive insights from aid workers and health officials on the ground, the stocks of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) – a peanut-based paste packed with vitamins and minerals – are critically low, with some facilities reporting they have only weeks' worth left. This shortage threatens to exacerbate an already catastrophic situation where thousands of children are at risk of irreversible health damage or death from starvation and related complications.

The crisis stems from the prolonged Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has severely restricted the flow of humanitarian aid into the region. Since the conflict escalated following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas militants on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and led to the abduction of over 250 hostages, Israel's retaliatory campaign has resulted in over 38,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's health ministry. The blockade and intense fighting have choked off supply lines, making it nearly impossible for aid organizations to deliver sufficient quantities of life-saving nutrition products.

Aid agencies, including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have been sounding the alarm for months about the rising rates of acute malnutrition among Gaza's children. In northern Gaza, where the fighting has been most intense, surveys indicate that one in six children under the age of two is acutely malnourished. This figure represents a sharp increase from pre-war levels, driven by the destruction of agricultural land, the collapse of food production systems, and the displacement of over 1.9 million people – nearly the entire population of Gaza.

Specialized food like RUTF is not just any supplement; it's a medically formulated product designed to rapidly rehabilitate children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Administered in small sachets that can be eaten directly without cooking, it's ideal for emergency settings where clean water and cooking facilities are scarce. A single course of treatment typically lasts six to eight weeks and can mean the difference between life and death for a child whose body is wasting away. Without it, children face stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and heightened vulnerability to diseases like diarrhea and respiratory infections, which are rampant in the overcrowded tent camps that now house most of Gaza's displaced population.

Interviews with medical personnel in Gaza paint a harrowing picture. Dr. Ahmed al-Masri, a pediatrician working in a makeshift clinic in Khan Younis, described the desperation: "We're seeing children with sunken eyes, swollen bellies, and limbs like sticks. We give them what RUTF we have, but it's running out. Soon, we'll have to turn to less effective alternatives, like fortified flour or milk, which won't save the worst cases." Al-Masri's clinic, supported by international NGOs, has treated over 500 malnourished children in the past three months alone, but with aid convoys frequently delayed or blocked at border crossings, replenishment is sporadic at best.

The logistical challenges are immense. Aid must pass through Israeli-controlled checkpoints, where inspections can take days or weeks. Items deemed "dual-use" – potentially usable for military purposes – are often rejected, though RUTF has no such applications. In recent weeks, the closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, following Israel's takeover in May, has further strangled supply routes. The Kerem Shalom crossing remains operational but is insufficient to meet the demand, with trucks carrying food aid often targeted or caught in crossfire.

International efforts to address the crisis have been hampered by political tensions. The United States, Israel's closest ally, has pushed for more aid access, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging Israeli officials during recent visits to expedite deliveries. However, critics argue that these calls have not translated into meaningful action on the ground. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza, a directive that aid groups say is being ignored.

Compounding the food shortage is the broader collapse of Gaza's health infrastructure. Hospitals like Al-Shifa in Gaza City, once the largest medical facility, have been repeatedly raided and damaged, leaving them unable to provide even basic care. Power outages, fuel shortages, and a lack of medical supplies mean that malnutrition treatment programs are operating at a fraction of their capacity. Nurses and doctors are overworked, often going without pay, and many have been displaced themselves.

The human stories behind the statistics are heartbreaking. Take the case of five-year-old Fatima, whose family fled their home in Gaza City after it was bombed. Now living in a tent in Deir al-Balah, Fatima's weight has plummeted from 18 kilograms to just 12. Her mother, Um Mohammad, shared: "She used to be so energetic, playing with her siblings. Now she barely moves. We got some of that special paste from the clinic, and it helped a little, but they said there's no more coming. What am I supposed to do? Watch her fade away?"

Aid organizations are scrambling for solutions. UNICEF has appealed for $100 million to scale up nutrition interventions in Gaza, including the procurement and distribution of RUTF. The agency aims to treat 20,000 children with SAM in the coming months, but without safe access, these goals remain aspirational. Some groups are exploring air drops or sea routes, like the U.S.-built floating pier off Gaza's coast, but these have proven inefficient, with the pier repeatedly shutting down due to rough seas and security issues.

Experts warn that the malnutrition crisis could have long-term repercussions for Gaza's future generations. Malnutrition in early childhood can lead to cognitive impairments, reduced educational outcomes, and chronic health problems that persist into adulthood. In a region already scarred by decades of conflict and blockade, this could deepen cycles of poverty and instability.

The international community faces mounting pressure to intervene more forcefully. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, a claim Israel vehemently denies, insisting that it allows sufficient aid and blames Hamas for diverting supplies. Hamas, for its part, has been criticized for not prioritizing civilian welfare amid the fighting.

As negotiations for a ceasefire drag on, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., the fate of Gaza's children hangs in the balance. A truce could open floodgates for aid, but until then, the clock is ticking on the remaining stocks of specialized food. Without urgent action, the tragedy of Gaza's malnourished youth will only worsen, adding another layer to one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of our time.

In southern Gaza, where some aid has trickled in, community-led initiatives are emerging as stopgaps. Local volunteers are distributing whatever fortified foods they can source, often mixing homemade blends of dates, nuts, and powdered milk. But these are no substitute for RUTF, which is specifically calibrated to address the micronutrient deficiencies rampant in famine-like conditions.

The global response has seen pledges from various nations. The European Union has committed €25 million for nutrition programs, while Arab states like the United Arab Emirates have sent shipments via air and sea. Yet, coordination remains a challenge, with overlapping mandates and bureaucratic hurdles slowing delivery.

Looking ahead, rebuilding Gaza's food security will require more than emergency aid. Pre-war, Gaza imported 80% of its food, but the destruction of farms, fisheries, and markets has shattered local production. Long-term solutions must include lifting the blockade, investing in agriculture, and ensuring safe access for humanitarian workers.

For now, the immediate focus is survival. As one aid coordinator put it: "Every day without RUTF is a day closer to catastrophe for these kids. The world can't look away." The exclusive details from Gaza underscore a stark reality: in the midst of war, it's the most vulnerable who pay the highest price. (Word count: 1,128)

Read the Full Reuters Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/exclusive-gaza-running-specialised-food-090840280.html ]