Gaza Humanitarian Response Update | 20-26 May 2024

Screening for malnutrition in Gaza using arm measurement. Photo by UNICEF/El Baba, February 2024.

[dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_col xs='12' sm='12' md='' lg='not-set'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Period: 20-26 May 2024

The information below is provided on a weekly basis by Clusters and select Technical Working Groups operating in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT). It is updated throughout the week to reflect new content. For an overview of priority needs and activities by cluster, please see the Flash Appeal released on 17 April covering the period from April through December 2024.

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='12' md='not-set' lg='12' xl='not-set' class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Health

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='not-set' md='not-set' lg='not-set' xl='not-set' class='ml-5 pl-4' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Response

Health Cluster partners are currently reaching about 255,000 people across the Gaza Strip per week with health services.
The Cluster continues to operationalize the Rafah incursion contingency plan developed in March 2024, which has enabled the continuity of health services in the southern Gaza governorates.
The Cluster is also in the process of finalizing a plan to scale up health service delivery in Gaza and North Gaza governorates.

Challenges

The cancellation of missions to northern Gaza has delayed the critical resupply of fuel and medical supplies and prevented the Health Cluster from assessing conditions at hospitals in the north.
The large-scale displacement of people to areas lacking basic necessities, such as water and food, further increases the risk of a surge of communicable diseases, including skin rashes, diarrhoea, and hepatitis A, as well as malnutrition.
Escalating hostilities across the Gaza Strip continue to pose significant barriers to accessing healthcare service points.
Essential sexual and reproductive health services in Gaza are severely limited, as only a few hospitals remain partially operational following multiple attacks on healthcare.
Prolonged closure or inaccessibility of crossings is placing major constraints on health service delivery as there are very limited medical supplies available within Gaza.
Only 13 Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) are currently deployed in Gaza, down from 19 EMTs operational prior to 7 May. Increasing the rotation of EMTs is critical as they play an essential role in health service delivery.

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='12' sm='12' md='' lg='not-set'][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='12' md='not-set' lg='12' xl='not-set' class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Nutrition

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='not-set' md='not-set' lg='not-set' xl='not-set' class='ml-5 pl-4' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Response

Partners continue to conduct Mid-Upper Arm Circumference screenings in shelters and healthcare facilities across the Gaza Strip. Since mid-January, 93,409 children aged 6-59 months have been screened for malnutrition, of whom 7,280 have been diagnosed with acute malnutrition, including 5,604 with Moderate Acute Malnutrition, and 1,676 with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). These children are currently receiving treatment in line with the simplified protocols. A post-distribution monitoring survey conducted by the Cluster shows that dietary diversity has worsened in May, with 95 per cent of children eating less than two different food groups per day. Moreover, 85 per cent of children did not eat for a whole day at least once in the three days before the survey was conducted.
Since 1 May, WFP and its partners have reached around 60,000 children under the age of five and 22,820 pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBW) with a 15-day allocation of Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements for the prevention of malnutrition.
Nutrition Cluster partners have increased their services in Al Mawasi, Khan Younis, Deir al Balah and Gaza City.
As of 26 May, 21,355 caregivers of children under the age of two, including PBW, have received sensitization sessions on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in Emergencies and 389 mother-to-mother support groups have been established.
WHO partners and the Ministry of Health (MoH) continue to offer stabilization services for children suffering from SAM with complications. To-date, 68 children have received treatment. However, due to the recent escalation of hostilities, the Stabilization Centre in Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza is currently out of service.

Challenges

Limited access to Gaza city and North Gaza has prevented the establishment of new nutrition services in these locations. Overall, access constraints across Gaza continue to hamper the early detection of children and women requiring nutrition services and the scale-up of operational presence and needed support.
Despite redeployment efforts, the limited number of partners present in Khan Younis is insufficient to address the increased need for nutrition services following large-scale displacement to the area, heightening the risk of inadequate or no follow-up on the cases of children under treatment.

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='12' sm='12' md='' lg='not-set'][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='12' md='not-set' lg='12' xl='not-set' class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Protection

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='not-set' md='not-set' lg='not-set' xl='not-set' class='ml-5 pl-4' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Response

Child Protection: Between 1 and 15 May, partners reached only 3,761 children and 1,904 caregivers with child protection services across the Gaza Strip. This represents a significant reduction compared to the 20,620 children and 13,131 caregivers reached in the previous reporting period, due to increased insecurity and operational challenges since the start of the Rafah ground offensive.
Protection from Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Between 1 and 15 May, GBV actors reached 2,535 displaced women and girls with GBV services, including psych