UNICEF Sounds Alarm as Child Malnutrition in Gaza Reaches Record Levels in August Amid Ongoing Conflict.
Gaza Strip:
Child malnutrition in the Gaza Strip has reached devastating new levels, with UNICEF reporting that the rate of acute malnutrition among children screened in August has surpassed the already dire figures recorded in July. The situation continues to worsen amid intensifying military operations, particularly in Gaza City, where famine was officially declared last month.
According to the latest data released by UNICEF, 13.5% of children screened across Gaza in August were acutely malnourished, a sharp rise from 8.3% in July. In Gaza City — now the epicentre of the crisis — the numbers are even more alarming, with 19% of children screened diagnosed with acute malnutrition, up from 16% the previous month.
“1 in 5 Children in Gaza City Now Acutely Malnourished”
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell described the situation as “catastrophic and entirely preventable,” highlighting that 1 in 5 children in Gaza City is now acutely malnourished and in urgent need of life-saving nutrition and medical care.
“In August, we’ve been able to bring more supplies into Gaza, but escalating military action has forced the closure of nearly a dozen nutrition centres in Gaza City alone,” Russell said. “This is leaving vulnerable children with no access to basic nutrition services, further increasing their risk of death.”
Closing Nutrition Centres Amid Escalation
The closures of 10 outpatient treatment centres in Gaza City and North Gaza — prompted by evacuation orders and ongoing military strikes — have severely hampered screening and treatment efforts. Despite a reduced number of screenings in August due to these closures, 12,800 children were identified as acutely malnourished. In July, a slightly higher number (13,000) was recorded, but under significantly better screening conditions and fewer disruptions.
The rate of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) — the deadliest form of malnutrition — has doubled in just six months. In August, 23% of children admitted for treatment were suffering from SAM, compared to 12% in February 2025.
Impact on Mothers and Infants
The crisis is not limited to children alone. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also facing extreme challenges due to inadequate food and collapsing health services. As a result, 1 in 5 babies in Gaza is now born underweight or prematurely, raising concerns over the long-term health impacts on the next generation.
Supply Challenges and Hope
UNICEF reports that stocks of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) — a critical treatment for SAM — have been increased and are expected to meet the need through the end of the year. However, essential supplies for pregnant women and infants remain severely lacking, and preventative nutrition stock is critically low.
Although some commercial goods have started to re-enter Gaza, food prices remain unaffordable for most families, and essential items are still scarce. UNICEF emphasizes that emergency food aid, fuel, cooking gas, medical supplies, and infrastructure repairs must all be urgently scaled up to prevent the further collapse of the healthcare and food systems.
UNICEF’s Call to Action
UNICEF is calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire and for all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. The organization urges Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza and ensure the protection of critical infrastructure, including hospitals, nutrition centres, and water systems.
“Civilians — especially children — must never be targets. They must be protected, and all efforts must be made to restore their access to food, healthcare, and shelter,” said Russell. She also reiterated the call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups.
A Preventable Crisis Spiraling into Tragedy
What is unfolding in Gaza is not just a humanitarian crisis — it is a man-made, preventable tragedy, warns UNICEF. If rapid, coordinated, and sustained action is not taken immediately, the consequences will be irreversible for thousands of children and families caught in the crossfire
The press release includes a heart-wrenching image of Mariam, a two-year-old girl weighing just 5 kilograms, lying on a hospital bed at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Once a healthy child, Mariam is now too weak to eat and urgently needs medical attention. Her story is emblematic of the silent suffering of thousands of children across Gaza.
UNICEF continues to work alongside its partners to deliver essential supplies to over 140 distribution points across Gaza, but stresses that without lasting peace and full humanitarian access, such efforts are only stopgaps in an increasingly dire emergency.
