Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Aid Obstruction Fuels Disastrous Consequences

Strategic Insights -

The systematic obstruction of aid into Gaza by the Israeli government has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with the entire population of 2.2 million people at risk of starvation, disease, and hunger. Vital food, medicine, medical supplies, fuel, and tents have been blocked for almost a year, exacerbating the dire situation. The aid blockade has resulted in a drastic reduction in the availability of life-saving aid, with 83% of required food aid not reaching Gaza, up from 34% in 2023. This reduction has led to people having only one meal every other day, with an estimated 50,000 children urgently requiring treatment for malnutrition by the end of the year.

Key Takeaways:

  • 83% of required food aid does not reach Gaza, up from 34% in 2023, resulting in people having only one meal every other day.
  • An estimated 50,000 children aged 6-59 months urgently require treatment for malnutrition by the end of the year.
  • 65% of required insulin and half of the required blood supply is not available in Gaza, affecting nearly 1 million people.
  • Availability of hygiene items has decreased to 15% of the amount available in September 2023, leaving 1 million women without essential supplies.
  • Only 1,500 hospital beds in Gaza remain operational, compared to around 3,500 beds in 2023, with cities of similar size averaging 5-8 times more beds.
  • 1.87 million people need shelter, with at least 60% of homes destroyed or damaged, yet only 25,000 people have received tents since May 2024.
  • A record-low average of 69 aid trucks per day entered Gaza in August 2024, compared to 500 per working day last year.
  • In August, more than 1 million people in southern and central Gaza did not receive any food rations.
  • Only 17 out of 36 hospitals remain partially functional, with critical infrastructure such as water networks, sanitation facilities, and bread mills destroyed.
  • Six main ways aid is systematically obstructed daily include denial of safety, blockade, delays and denials, restrictive control of imports, destruction of public infrastructure, and displacement of civilians and humanitarian workers.

Statistics:

  • 83% of required food aid not reaching Gaza (up from 34% in 2023)
  • 1,500 hospital beds operational in Gaza (compared to 3,500 in 2023)
  • 65% of required insulin and half of the required blood supply not available in Gaza
  • 15% of hygiene items available in Gaza (down from 2023 levels)
  • 1.87 million people in need of shelter (with 60% of homes destroyed or damaged)
  • 25,000 people received tents since May 2024
  • 69 aid trucks per day entered Gaza in August 2024 (compared to 500 per working day last year)
  • 1 million people in southern and central Gaza did not receive food rations in August 2024
  • 17 out of 36 hospitals remain partially functional

Sources:

  • CARE Country Director Jolien Veldwijik
  • Amjad Al Shawa, Director of the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO)
  • Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com