‘Unprecedented’ malnutrition surges in Gaza – The Telegraph

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Critical Failure in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Crisis and its Conflict with Global Goals

A catastrophic humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza, impacting over two million Palestinians and pushing the territory to the brink of famine. This situation represents a severe regression in the pursuit of several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Direct Contravention of SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The escalating food security crisis in Gaza directly undermines the global commitment to end hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition. Reports from international aid organizations highlight a rapid deterioration:

• Food security experts have assessed that the territory is on the verge of famine.
• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) reported that one in every ten children presenting at its clinics suffers from malnutrition.
• Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has recorded the highest-ever levels of acute malnutrition in its Gaza facilities.
• MSF stated that the starvation of the population is intentional and could be alleviated if sufficient food aid were permitted entry by Israeli authorities.

Severe Setbacks for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The nutritional crisis has led to a public health emergency, compromising the health and well-being of the most vulnerable populations, particularly children. This is a direct failure to meet the targets of SDG 3.

1. Surge in Malnutrition Cases: The number of malnutrition cases at an MSF clinic in Gaza City surged from over 290 in May to more than 980 by early July, a near-quadrupling in under two months.
2. Unprecedented Scale: Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, MSF’s deputy medical coordinator in Gaza, described the scale of malnutrition as unprecedented in the organization’s experience within the region.
3. Systemic Shortages: The rise in malnutrition is attributed to severe shortages of essential nutrition supplies, as reported by UNRWA.

Wider Implications for the 2030 Agenda

The crisis extends beyond hunger and health, impacting a broader spectrum of the Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The crisis is rooted in conflict, with allegations from MSF that access to food is being deliberately restricted, highlighting a breakdown of peace and justice.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty): The widespread humanitarian distress and lack of basic necessities are plunging the population into deeper levels of poverty.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The critical roles of UNRWA and MSF underscore the importance of international partnerships in humanitarian response, yet the challenges they face in delivering aid point to a failure in collaborative mechanisms to protect civilians.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article’s central theme is the severe food crisis in Gaza. It explicitly mentions that the territory is “teetering on the edge of famine,” there are “severe shortages of nutrition supplies,” and the “starvation of people in Gaza is intentional.” This directly addresses the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to food.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The consequences of the food crisis on public health are a primary focus. The article reports on surging malnutrition among children, with UNRWA and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) witnessing the “highest levels of acute malnutrition ever recorded.” This connects directly to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

   The article highlights a complete failure to meet this target in Gaza. The statement that “the Israeli authorities [could] allow food in at scale” points to a problem of access. The description of Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians facing a “catastrophic humanitarian crisis” and being on the “edge of famine” directly relates to the lack of access to sufficient food.

2. Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.

   This target is explicitly addressed with data from the article. The report that “one in 10 children brought to its clinics were malnourished” and that MSF teams are “witnessing the highest levels of acute malnutrition ever recorded” shows a severe regression from this target. The specific mention of “acute malnutrition” is a direct reference to wasting, a key focus of this target.

3. Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.

   While the article does not provide mortality statistics, it strongly implies a high risk of preventable deaths. Severe acute malnutrition, as described in the article, is a leading cause of death in children under five. The statement that cases of malnutrition “almost quadrupled in less than two months” indicates a rapidly escalating health crisis that directly threatens child survival, making this target highly relevant.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.

   This is implied by the overall description of the situation. Phrases like “teetering on the edge of famine,” “starvation of people,” and “catastrophic humanitarian crisis” are qualitative descriptions of widespread undernourishment.

2. Indicator 2.2.2: Prevalence of malnutrition (wasting and overweight) among children under 5 years of age, by type (wasting and overweight).

   The article provides direct data for this indicator. The mention of “acute malnutrition” is synonymous with wasting. The statistics provided by MSF (“cases soaring from more than 290 cases in May to over 980 cases at the beginning of July”) and UNRWA (“one in 10 children brought to its clinics were malnourished”) are direct measures of the prevalence of malnutrition (wasting).

3. Indicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rate.

   This indicator is implied. The “severe scale of malnutrition cases” described is a primary driver of the under-5 mortality rate. A surge in severe acute malnutrition, as reported, would directly lead to an increase in child deaths, making it a proxy for a worsening under-5 mortality rate.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: telegraph.co.uk