According to United Nations estimates from January 22, more than 60,000 children in Gaza will require treatment for acute malnutrition in 2025. While the exact number of deaths remains uncertain, reports indicate that some have already succumbed to starvation. Survivors who regain adequate nutrition still face significant long-term health risks. Research shows that childhood malnutrition is linked to cognitive impairments, stunted physical development, and a higher risk of chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes later in life.
Since the truce between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19, the flow of aid into the Gaza Strip has increased significantly, offering some relief to the severe food crisis gripping the war-torn region, particularly affecting children. However, even after receiving aid, the prolonged hunger they have suffered may have lasting consequences on their health.
This crisis extends beyond Gaza. A recent report by the U.N.’s World Food Programme, provided exclusively to media, reveals that approximately 131 million children worldwide—nearly 40 million under the age of five—are living in areas facing severe food insecurity. Additionally, the United Nations Population Fund estimates that around 4.7 million pregnant women are also affected. These figures are based on available assessments from various crisis-affected regions.
Experts emphasize that childhood hunger has far-reaching and potentially irreversible effects, thus needing treatment. Severe malnutrition can prevent children from reaching their full cognitive and physical potential. While some effects can be mitigated if a child later gains access to proper nutrition and takes treatment, that remains uncertain in many war-torn and impoverished regions where food shortages persist due to ongoing conflict and instability.
Types of Malnutrition and Their Impact
The World Health Organization identifies four key types of undernutrition, all of which can have lasting effects:
- Wasting: A condition where a child’s weight is too low for their height, often indicating recent extreme hunger. It is considered a medical emergency but can be treated with therapeutic foods and medical care.
- Stunting: Chronic undernutrition that results in reduced height for age, potentially leading to lifelong physical and cognitive impairments. Recovery potential varies, but many experts believe its effects can be irreversible if experienced during critical developmental stages.
- Underweight: A general indicator of malnutrition, where a child weighs less than the average for their age. This can be associated with both stunting and wasting.
- Micronutrient Deficiencies: A lack of essential vitamins and minerals, such as iodine, vitamin A, and iron, which are critical for growth and brain development. These deficiencies can cause severe, often irreversible health issues, including brain damage, blindness, and impaired cognitive function.
Long-Term Consequences and Increased Vulnerability
Children suffering from chronic malnutrition or underlying health conditions are at greater risk of both immediate and long-term complications. A study conducted in Malawi, tracking children who had been hospitalized for acute malnutrition, revealed stark outcomes: nearly half of the children monitored had died within a year, and only a fraction survived 15 years later. Even among those who did, lingering effects such as reduced growth and muscle strength were evident.
The broader impact of malnutrition extends beyond individuals, affecting entire societies by leaving a generation with weakened physical and cognitive abilities. This, in turn, can have economic and social repercussions for families and nations as a whole.
While aid can provide immediate relief, the underlying crisis of food insecurity, driven by war, poverty, and political instability, continues to threaten millions worldwide.
