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Foreign food assistance

Gaza Aid Obstruction Sparks Humanitarian Disaster

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Gaza has been plunged into a catastrophic humanitarian disaster as aid obstruction reaches unprecedented levels. Despite dire warnings, lifesaving food, medicine, and fuel continue to be systematically blocked from entering the besieged territory. The consequences are dire: hunger and disease are rampant, and nearly half a million people are at risk of starvation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Aid obstruction has resulted in a drastic fall in aid entering Gaza, with only 17% of required food aid making it in, compared to 66% in 2023.
  • The average person in Gaza now only receives one meal every other day, down from two meals per day in 2023.
  • An estimated 50,000 children aged 6-59 months require treatment for malnutrition by the end of the year.
  • 65% of the required insulin and half of the required blood supply are not available in Gaza.
  • The availability of hygiene items has dropped to 15% of the amount available in September 2023.
  • One million women are now going without the hygiene supplies they need.
  • Only 1,500 hospital beds remain operational in Gaza, compared to 3,500 beds in 2023.
  • Cities of similar size, such as Chicago and Paris, average 5 to 8 times more hospital beds per capita than Gaza.
  • 1.87 million people are in need of shelter, with at least 60% of homes destroyed or damaged.
  • Tents for only 25,000 people have entered Gaza since May 2024.
  • A record low average of 69 aid trucks per day entered Gaza in August 2024, down from 500 per working day last year.
  • In August, over 1 million people did not receive any food rations in southern and central Gaza.
  • Only 17 out of 36 hospitals remain partially functional.

Statistics:

  • 83% of required food aid does not make it into Gaza (up from 34% in 2023).
  • An estimated 50,000 children aged 6-59 months require treatment for malnutrition by the end of the year.
  • 65% of the required insulin and half of the required blood supply are not available in Gaza.
  • The availability of hygiene items has dropped to 15% of the amount available in September 2023.
  • One million women are now going without hygiene supplies.
  • Only 1,500 hospital beds remain operational in Gaza.
  • Cities of similar size, such as Chicago and Paris, average 5 to 8 times more hospital beds per capita than Gaza.
  • 1.87 million people are in need of shelter.
  • 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.
  • Over 1 million people did not receive any food rations in southern and central Gaza in August 2024.

Sources:

  • Save the Children International: Press release on aid obstruction in Gaza.
  • CARE Country Director in the West Bank and Gaza, Jolien Veldwijik: Statement on aid obstruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
  • Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) Director, Amjad Al Shawa: Interview on humanitarian crisis and aid shortage in Gaza.

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