In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels, particularly for infants, young children, and their parents. Shortages of basic necessities such as baby formula and diapers have left families in despair, with some resorting to inadequate or even unsafe alternatives. The already dire conditions have been exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries and the relentless fighting.
For parents like Zainab al-Zein, the lack of baby formula has forced them to make impossible choices. Al-Zein, a mother of a 2 1/2-month-old girl named Linda, has been feeding her daughter crushed biscuits because of the absence of available formula. Al-Zein is well aware of the potential health risks this poses to her baby, but in a situation where there is simply nothing else, she feels helpless.
The scarcity of basic goods, combined with soaring prices, has left many Palestinians unable to afford diapers for their children. The already devastated economy in Gaza has left most families without regular incomes and dependent on diminishing savings or aid. This has led to older children working as street vendors, selling diapers at exorbitant prices. A single diaper can cost between three to five shekels ($1 to $1.50), while a pack used to be available for just 12 shekels ($3.50) prior to the war.
The situation is even more dire for families who cannot afford diapers at all. Some have resorted to cloth diapers, a cheaper alternative, but their usage requires access to scarce water for washing, further complicating matters. As a result, parents have had to make do with smaller diapers, patching them together with tape.
The lack of fresh produce and unhealthy living conditions have contributed to the spread of illnesses, particularly among malnourished children. Respiratory infections, skin rashes, and diarrhea have become increasingly common. With winter exacerbating the situation, children are often wet, causing further health issues.
The scale of the crisis is staggering. The U.N. has warned that the people of Gaza are at imminent risk of famine, with a quarter of the population already suffering from starvation. The desperate conditions have made even the most basic tasks a luxury, forcing parents like Raafat Abu Wardeh to sell food meant for their children in order to buy diapers.
The United Nations' children's agency, UNICEF, has been delivering formula, diapers, and cash to those in need, but it is unable to meet the vast requirements. Approximately 20,000 infants up to the age of 6 months are in need of formula alone. The agency has stressed that its deliveries are far from sufficient in addressing the colossal needs of the children in Gaza.
The situation is dire for Gaza's entire population of 335,000 children under 5 years old, who are at a high risk of severe malnourishment and preventable death. Recent screenings reveal that almost 10% of children under 5 now suffer from acute malnutrition, a twelve-fold increase from before the war. In northern Gaza, where aid has been scarce for months, the situation is even worse.
For parents like Zainab al-Zein, the agonizing decision to feed her baby crushed biscuits and ground rice instead of formula has meant frequent visits to an already overwhelmed local hospital. Healthcare providers typically recommend waiting until a child is 6 months old before introducing solid foods, as early exposure to solids can increase the risk of chronic diseases.
As families in Gaza struggle to survive amidst the devastation and lack of basic necessities, the need for international assistance has become more urgent than ever. The suffering of infants, young children, and their parents deepens with every passing day, emphasizing the immediate action required to alleviate their plight.
