UNICEF: More than a million children in Gaza are deprived of life -saving aid for more than a month

In a statement issued today, Saturday, the organization reminded that no aid was allowed to enter the Strip since March 2, 2025 – the longest aid prevention period since the war began – which led to a lack of food, water suitable for drinking, shelter and medical supplies. And she warned that without these necessities, rates of malnutrition, diseases and other preventive conditions are likely to increase, which leads to an increase in children’s mortality that can be avoided.

Edward Besbider, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa said that the organization has thousands of platforms loaded with aid awaiting the entry of the Gaza Strip.

He added: “Most of this aid is a life -saving, but instead of saving lives, they are stored. They must be allowed immediately. This is not an option or charity, it is an obligation under international law.”.

Life -threatening feeding

UNICEF warned that children who receive malnutrition are at risk of seriousness, as 21 treatment centers – equivalent to 15 percent of the total outpatient facilities – since March 18, 2025 due to displacement or bombing orders. 350 children who depend on these centers now face a worsening malnutrition, which may threaten their lives.

The organization said that the supplementary foods of infants necessary for growth when food stocks dropped in the center and south of Gaza, and the baby’s milk is not left to use only enough for 400 children for a month.

UNICEF estimates that approximately 10,000 infants under six months old need supplementary feeding, so without infant formula for use, families may be forced to use alternatives mixed with unsafe water.

She pointed out that in addition to nutrition services, UNICEF was forced to reduce mental health services, psychological and social support, raising mine risks, and managing child protection due to the continuation of hostilities and mass displacement.

The effect of running out of fuel and water shortage

UNICEF indicated that during the ceasefire, it began repairing wells and vital water points to increase the availability of safe drinking water, but with the collapse of the ceasefire, many of them are still without repairing or at risk of more damage.

She said that the rate of drinking water for one million people, including 400,000 children, decreased from 16 liters per person per day to only six liters.

UNICEF warned that if the fuel runs out in the coming weeks, this rate may decrease to less than 4 liters, forcing families to use unsafe water and increase the risk of diseases, especially among children.

UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa said: “For more than a million children in the Gaza Strip, we urge the Israeli authorities to ensure that the basic needs of the population are met, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes their legal responsibility for ensuring that families are provided with food, medicine and other basic supplies they need to survive.”.

The organization said that despite the very difficult situation, it and its partners maintain a vital presence. The parties called for stopping hostilities and resuming the ceasefire, adding that humanitarian aid and commercial commodities should be allowed to enter and move freely across the Gaza Strip.