The head of the WHO noted a sharp increase in the number of deaths due to malnutrition in the Gaza Strip

The World Health Organization (WHO) has seen a sharp increase in the number of deaths related to malnutrition in the Gaza Strip. This was announced on July 23 by the head of the organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a briefing in Geneva.

"The 2.1 million people trapped in the war zone in the Gaza Strip face another problem besides bombs and bullets — hunger. Currently, we are witnessing a sharp increase in malnutrition-related deaths. Since July 17, acute malnutrition treatment centers have been overcrowded, and they do not have enough supplies for emergency meals," follows from his introductory speech published on the WHO website.

According to him, this year the WHO has registered 21 deaths in Gaza related to malnutrition in children under the age of five. Ghebreyesus stressed that acute malnutrition rates exceed 10% of the population. It is specified that over 20% of pregnant and lactating women in Gaza suffer from severe malnutrition.

The head of WHO added that the hunger crisis is getting worse against the background of the cessation of humanitarian aid supplies and current restrictions on access to it. According to him, 95% of households face water shortages in Gaza. At the same time, it is specified that daily access to water is significantly lower than the minimum required for drinking, cooking and hygiene.

"The UN and humanitarian partners have been unable to deliver food to the Gaza Strip for almost 80 consecutive days <...> due to the complete blockade of humanitarian and commercial access. Since then, food supplies have been resumed intermittently, but their volumes are still significantly below the level necessary for the survival of the population," he added.

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On July 21, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced the alarm of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in connection with the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. According to him, the Secretary-General strongly condemns the ongoing violence and calls for the immediate release of the hostages.

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, stressed on January 20 that the cease-fire in Gaza should be a step towards a long-term settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In particular, he noted the need for Israel to abolish the practice of building settlements in the occupied territories of Palestine. Nebenzia also urged not to forget about the price that the residents of the Gaza Strip pay with their lives during all the months of conflict.

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