Famine in Gaza is causing widespread suffering, with children particularly vulnerable due to lack of food and assistance. The closure of border crossings by the Israeli Defense Forces has severely restricted the flow of essential supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Hunger and malnutrition have led to a surge in preventable diseases and a rising death toll, especially among children. Parents are struggling to provide for their children amid rampant inflation and limited resources.
4 months ago
Gaza is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, characterized by widespread hunger and malnutrition, which has replaced the daily noise with a "deep silence of hunger" 1 2. This collapse is attributed to the Israeli Defense Forces sealing all crossings into the enclave on March 2, 2025, halting the flow of food, medicine, and fuel 1 2. Consequently, hunger and malnutrition have spread rapidly, leading to preventable diseases 1.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza reported 201 deaths from famine and malnutrition by early August, including 98 children, with these numbers increasing daily 1 2. UNICEF spokesperson Salim Oweis described the situation as a "man-made catastrophe," noting over 90 children have died from malnutrition since the war began, a 50% increase in under three months 1 2. In July, nearly 12,000 children were diagnosed with acute malnutrition, a significant rise from 2,000 in February 1 2.
Personal stories highlight the extreme hardships: Ahmed Al-Sawafiri, a 35-year-old father, struggles with exorbitant food prices and children sleeping hungry 1 2. Twelve-year-old Abdul Rahman Barghouth works to feed his eight siblings, dreaming of school 1 2. Mozayal Hassouna, 54, recounts days without bread, her youngest son developing a stutter from trauma, and living in a tent after losing her home and livelihood 1 2. Hidaya Al-Mutawaq's 2-year-old son, Muhammad, suffers from severe malnutrition, having lost a third of his body weight, and she has been displaced seven times since her husband was killed 1 2.
The health system is on the brink of collapse, with Al-Ahli Hospital's medical director, Dr. Maher Ayyad, reporting shortages of medicine, supplies, and equipment, and reliance on often-unavailable fuel for generators 1 2. The hospital, primarily surgical, also observes widespread starvation, with available goods being unaffordable 1 2.
Beyond food and healthcare, drinking water is scarce, forcing people to consume untreated water, raising risks of cholera and other diseases 1 2. Livelihoods have been destroyed, schools are in ruins or used as shelters, and children are suffering from trauma 1 2. The Ministry of Health warns of an increase in diseases like Guillain-Barré syndrome, signaling a potential infectious disaster 1 2.
While some aid trickles in, it is described as "a drop in the ocean of needs" 1 2. Airdrops are inefficient, expensive, and dangerous, sometimes causing casualties in the scramble for supplies, and do not compare to the volume that could enter via land routes 1 2. Aid distribution is uneven due to security risks, coordination delays, and desperate crowds, making it difficult for vulnerable individuals to access supplies 1 2.
International agencies, including UNICEF, emphasize that this crisis is preventable and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted entry of humanitarian and commercial supplies, and protection for civilians and aid workers 1 2. Dr. Ayyad stressed that "all the help will not be enough without stopping this war" 1 2. Despite the devastation, many Gazans find comfort in faith, expressing "Alhamdulillah" (praise be to God) and hoping for an end to the conflict so that they and their children can live 1 2.
What is the Church's teaching on humanitarian aid?
The Catholic Church's teaching on humanitarian aid is deeply rooted in its understanding of human dignity, the command to love one's neighbor, and the example of Christ. It emphasizes that every human person, regardless of their condition, possesses inherent dignity as they are created in the image of God .
Core Principles and Motivations:
Characteristics of Catholic Humanitarian Aid:
In essence, the Church's teaching on humanitarian aid is a practical manifestation of its theological convictions about the sacredness of human life and the universal call to charity, aiming to uphold the dignity of every person and alleviate suffering as a service to Christ himself .