UN Report: 1 in 10 Children Malnourished at UNRWA Clinics in Gaza
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) recently reported that one in ten children under the age of five screened at its Gaza clinics are suffering from acute malnutrition—the first time such levels have been observed in the enclave since the war began This data underscores an urgent and escalating humanitarian crisis.
Scope of the Crisis
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Since January 2024, over 240,000 children under five have been assessed in UNRWA-run clinics
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The agency attributes this surge to the tightened siege imposed from March 2, 2025, which severely disrupted food, medicine, hygiene supplies, and fuel deliveries Prior to these hostilities, cases of acute malnutrition in Gaza were rare—clinic staff have described witnessing conditions previously seen only “in textbooks and documentaries”
UNICEF Corroboration
UNICEF reports that in June alone, over 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition, including more than 1,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition. This figure marks the fourth consecutive month of rising cases
Healthcare Collapse
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Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure is deteriorating—only 13 out of 36 hospitals are partially functioning Nutrition stabilization centers have dwindled, with only four centers left to treat severely malnourished children; those in North Gaza and Rafah have ceased operations
Broader UN Data & Warnings
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A May IPC (Integrated Food Security) report noted 470,000 people facing catastrophic hunger and projected about 71,000 children needing immediate treatment for acute malnutrition.
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In February 2024, UNICEF data showed that nearly 1 in 6 under‑2-year-olds in Northern Gaza were acutely malnourished
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In late May, among ~47,000 under-fives screened, 5.8% (about 2,733 children) had acute malnutrition—a threefold increase from three months prior
Humanitarian Access Blocked
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Israeli authorities have banned UNRWA from bringing aid into Gaza since March—even after a partial easing of an 11-week restriction in May
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This blockade has exacerbated shortages in essential nutrition supplies, hygiene materials, and fuel
Potential Famine Scenario
The UN has repeatedly warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine. Nearly the entire population—93%—faces critical food insecurity, and without swift humanitarian action, rates of acute malnutrition among children are expected to spiral further
Summary
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Magnitude: 1 in 10 children under five are acutely malnourished—confirmed via UNRWA clinic screenings.
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Trend: Cases have increased steadily since March, reaching the highest rates ever recorded in the current conflict.
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Drivers: The siege has choked off food, medicine, fuel, and other basic goods.
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System collapse: Hospitals and aid centers are barely functioning; few facilities remain to treat severe cases.
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Children at risk: Over tens of thousands already affected; more expected if humanitarian routes aren’t restored.
The Urgent Need
UN agencies stress that restoring and scaling up nutrition services is vital. Delays in aid not only threaten children’s immediate survival but also their long-term physical and cognitive development. The UN is urging all parties to allow unhindered humanitarian access and to reinstate UNRWA’s vital role in delivering aid.