Amidst a backdrop of escalating violence and restrictions, children in Gaza are enduring one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises, according to Ammar Ammar, UNICEF’s spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa.
In an interview with Al-Ittihad, Ammar painted a harrowing picture of the life-threatening challenges facing Gaza’s youngest residents.
Ammar reported that Gaza is home to approximately 1.7 million displaced individuals, half of whom are children living under critically inhumane conditions.
These conditions include a severe shortage of potable water, with individuals receiving merely 1 to 2 liters per day for all domestic uses—far below the international survival standards.
The nutrition crisis in Gaza is stark, with malnutrition ravaging the child population. “In recent weeks, at least 23 children have died from dehydration and malnutrition, primarily in the northern regions where aid is drastically limited,” Ammar disclosed. The ongoing siege has hindered aid delivery, exacerbating the situation.
Disease outbreaks are rampant, with over 90% of the children experiencing acute diarrhea and suffering injuries due to continuous bombings. Ammar noted, “Nearly 14,000 children have lost their lives due to the conflict to date.”
The psychological impact of the conflict is profound. Children are experiencing severe trauma symptoms, including dissociative disorders, anxiety, fear, sleep disturbances, nightmares, mutism, and withdrawal.
“Before the conflict, 50% of Gaza’s children required mental health and social support. Now, given their repeated traumas, every child needs some form of psychological aid,” Ammar emphasized.
Despite UNICEF’s efforts to provide psychological support to families and children, the relentless conflict and destruction of infrastructure, including the devastation of 92% of schools, leave little room for normalcy.
Currently, 625,000 students are out of school, and health responses are crippled, with only 10 of the 26 hospitals in Gaza functioning, some only partially.
Ammar highlighted the dire conditions at the Al-Shifa medical complex, symbolizing the absence of safe places in Gaza amid the looming famine.
He urgently called on the United Nations and the Security Council for an immediate ceasefire, stating, “It is the only solution to stop the killing and protect the children, along with providing the necessary humanitarian aid.”
He also urged the international community to lift restrictions on aid organizations to ensure safe and unhindered access to all areas of Gaza and to facilitate urgent food delivery through all crossings.
“A ceasefire is the only viable and immediate solution,” Ammar concluded, pressing for action to prevent a further escalation in child fatalities.
