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[INTERNATIONAL] · Palestinian Territories · 4 sources

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UNICEF reports complex nutritional crisis in Gaza Strip

A new demographic nutritional survey conducted by UNICEF in accessible areas of the Gaza Strip reveals a complex and concerning health landscape. While acute malnutrition among children under five is reported as relatively low, the survey highlights significant issues with chronic malnutrition and dietary quality.

Key findings indicate that 12.2% of children under five suffer from stunting, a sign of long-term nutritional deficiencies. Additionally, 4.0% of this age group are overweight. The coexistence of stunting, wasting, and overweight suggests that the population is facing poor food quality rather than just insufficient quantities. Specifically, 73.0% of children aged 6 to 23 months consumed unhealthy foods the day before the survey, and only 22.4% received a minimum acceptable diet.

Health challenges are further compounded by high rates of childhood illness, with 37.1% of children under five having experienced diarrhea in the two weeks preceding the study. The report also documented maternal malnutrition among women and girls aged 15 to 49. The survey, conducted between May 31 and June 15, 2026, follows an increase in humanitarian aid after the October 2025 ceasefire. Data shows that admissions for acute malnutrition treatment fell from a peak of approximately 17,000 in August 2025 to fewer than 3,000 by March 2026.

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Gaza Strip · UNICEF

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