“According to Dr. Margaret Harris of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), doctors and healthcare workers are increasingly witnessing the consequences of malnutrition, with newborn infants succumbing to death due to dangerously low birth weights.”

The World Health Organization spokesperson stated to journalists in Geneva that there has been a rise in cases of severely malnourished children on the verge of death, following a warning by global nutrition experts that famine could possibly occur at any time in northern Gaza.

‘Hunger, starvation, famine’

After reviewing the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report on Gaza released on Monday, UN human rights leader Volker Türk affirmed that Israel’s restrictions on the entry and delivery of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, as well as the displacement of large numbers of people and damage to vital civilian infrastructure, are causing “hunger, starvation, and famine” in the region.

According to Mr. Türk, due to the intense hunger, families are sending their children from northern to southern Gaza without any guardian with the desperate intention of finding food and assistance among 1.8 million inhabitants who have already been displaced there.

The High Commissioner’s statements about the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza mirrored the concerns raised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday. Guterres once again urged Israeli authorities to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

In New York, Mr. Guterres addressed the Security Council and emphasized the need for the international community to fully back the UN’s humanitarian initiatives.

The leader of the UN condemned the severe hunger and suffering being experienced by Palestinians in Gaza. He characterized the IPC report as a distressing condemnation of the living conditions for civilians in the area.

Pregnancy dangers

Although WHO states that infants and young children are the most vulnerable to chronic hunger, the UN health agency reports that there has been an influx of severely undernourished pregnant women being admitted by medical teams in the conflict-ridden enclave.

Dr. Harris explained that difficulties arise when attempting to sustain a pregnancy without an adequate intake of nutrients. She emphasized that the food shortage in Gaza is directly caused by the ongoing conflict, which was initiated by terrorist attacks led by Hamas on October 7th in Israel.

According to Dr. Harris, all of the medical issues we are currently facing are a result of human actions. She also noted that the health system used to function efficiently in this area. She emphasized that there was no malnutrition present and that the population was able to sustain itself.

Feeding centre plan

To assist the most at-risk people in Gaza and prevent fatalities, the World Health Organization’s current focus is creating urgent centers for stabilizing malnutrition. However, a shortage of security and ongoing barriers to aid have hindered progress, according to Dr. Harris.

“We have established a location in the southern region and are considering establishing one in the northern region. However, the challenge lies in the transportation and delivery of materials, as access and safety are necessary for successful distribution to the affected individuals. A ceasefire is needed before a solution can be implemented.”

Dr Harris expressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for a large influx of aid to be permitted into Gaza.

She explained that when a situation like that occurs, the aid will quickly be utilized.

Over 350,000 families in Gaza have been given flour through UNRWA’s distribution.

Vast job losses

Highlighting the severe consequences of the conflict in Gaza and its surrounding areas, a recent study from the United Nations labor organization, ILO, revealed that it has resulted in approximately 507,000 job losses in the Palestinian territories under occupation.

The regional economy has been significantly affected, according to ILO representative Zeina Awad. She also mentioned that if the conflict persists, the unemployment rate in the area may rise to 57%.

The new data – sourced by ILO and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) – estimates that as of 31 January, around 201,000 jobs were lost in the Gaza Strip, accounting for around two-thirds of total employment in the enclave.

Additionally, the West Bank has suffered a loss of 306,000 jobs, which accounts for more than one-third of its total employment. This is due to the significant impact on its economic conditions.

UNRWA probe findings

On Tuesday, the UN chief was scheduled to hear the interim findings of one of two investigations into UNRWA, following serious allegations that some of its staff had collaborated with Hamas during the 7 October terror attacks on Israel. 

Out of the 12 individuals accused in the claims, the United Nations organization promptly recognized and ended the agreements with 10, while the remaining two were confirmed to have passed away.

The UNRWA stated on its website that any UN employee who participates in acts of terrorism will be responsible for their actions and may face criminal charges.

Mr. Guterres was due to meet Catherine Colonna, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, who heads the Independent Review Group. Its work was scheduled to begin on 14 February aided by three research organizations: the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

The anticipated completion date for the final report is late April, and it will be released to the public.

An additional inquiry is currently in progress, conducted by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), to investigate allegations of misconduct within the workplace. This includes potential violations of UN staff regulations, rules, and codes of conduct. The results of this investigation will be included in a report submitted to the UN Secretary-General.

Source: news.un.org