Malnutrition Continues to Plague Women and Children in Gaza
Project HOPE’s latest nutrition assessment in Gaza has revealed a continuation of alarming malnutrition trends for women and children. Despite gains from increased aid supplies and health access following the October 2025 ceasefire, food insecurity remains a stark reality across Gaza with more than 34% of pregnant and breastfeeding women and over 9% of children under five screened at Project HOPE clinics being classified as malnourished, 55.35% of which were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), a leading cause of death for children which requires urgent medical treatment and specialized therapeutic foods. Additionally, heavy rains, flooding, and collapsing shelters continue to hamper relief efforts and endanger the most vulnerable.
Since the October 2025 ceasefire took effect, Gaza has experienced a partial recovery in market activity and food availability across Gaza, but supply shortages, cash-flow constraints, damaged infrastructure, and limited local production continue to hamper both supply and access. Food prices remain far above pre-conflict levels, with many basic commodities costing up to 200% more than before the fighting began. Survey results showed that 69.28% of respondents lost an income source due to the war, 46.99% reported their families couldn’t afford the basic food basket items, and 71.08% reported they decreased the number of meals they ate. As a result, many households still struggle to afford a diverse diet, with consumption generally limited to staple cereals and pulses while meat, fresh produce, and other nutrient-rich foods remain largely out of reach.
“Food is a fundamental human right. Even if a child gets treatment and survives malnutrition, this traumatic period in their life leaves a lasting impact. It affects their mental well-being and sense of security and can cause delays in physical growth and cognitive development,” said Dr. Nour Alamassi. “Malnutrition also impacts immunity, reducing a patient’s ability to fight off infections at a time where outbreaks are on the rise with so many living in crowded tents, exposed to the elements.”
Across Project HOPE’s six health clinics in Gaza, the team has continued to screen pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls, including providing preventative nutrition assistance to help keep healthy individuals from becoming malnourished. Project HOPE is also operating an intervention to treat malnourished children under five to ensure they receive proper therapeutic care and essential nutritional supplements. Across all programs, we also conduct infant and young child feeding sessions to equip caregivers with the knowledge of optimal feeding practices to improve children’s nutrition and overall health.
Without sustained and scaled humanitarian assistance – particularly nutrition support, cash assistance, and reliable food supply channels – malnutrition levels are likely to remain high. Project HOPE advocates for the expansion and strengthening of malnutrition treatment, including community screenings and preventative nutrition programs, to address this ongoing crisis.
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