7 out of 10 pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza are malnourished

A week after the IPC confirmed famine in Gaza, ActionAid has heard from doctors and some pregnant women about pregnancy complications caused by starvation and a lack of medical supplies, resulting from months of deliberate blockade of lifesaving aid.

According to Al Awda hospital, an alarming 70 to 75% of the 300 daily pregnant and breastfeeding women who visit ActionAid’s partner, Al Awda hospital, are reported to be suffering from malnutrition.

Dr Yasser, who works at the Al Awda hospital, said:

“The women are suffering from malnutrition, which is reflected in their low weight, low fetal weight, decreased fetal movement and poor health of the fetus and mother. They currently suffer from anemia, calcium deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency, all of which negatively impact the health of the mother and the fetus.”

Doctors have warned that severe anemia and severe caloric and nutritional deficiencies are directly putting at risk the lives of pregnant mothers and their unborn children. 

Dr Mohammed Salha, acting director of Al-Awda Hospital, said:

“The situation in the Gaza Strip is very difficult. There are many evacuation orders and the most affected people in this aggression are pregnant and breastfeeding women. More than 60,000 women are affected related to the shortage of food and many women are facing malnutrition. Our hospital’s nutrition department is distributing supplements for the women, [but] the need is greater than our capacity.”

The women described how the absence of food, medicine and stress-related trauma caused by constant shelling is causing a surge in complications during pregnancy, including miscarriages.

Nevin, an early-stage pregnant woman, described how stress, severe nutritional deficiencies, and lack of medical care have led to multiple miscarriages. 

“[I am] two months pregnant, [there is] no food and medical supplies are not available and the treatments and vitamins that every pregnant woman needs [are not available too]. Because of the lack of vitamins and adequate treatment, I miscarried twice.

Duaa, a mother-to-be facing severe hardship during her pregnancy, shed light on the daily struggles of living without adequate food, healthcare, or proper shelter. She says:

“My suffering during pregnancy is, first of all, the lack of food here. I get dizzy and tremble because of the lack of food. There are no treatments or medications; we go to the [humanitarian] agency and come back [with nothing].

Another pregnant mother who spoke anonymously to ActionAid said:

“In this pregnancy, I suffer from [anaemia], gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and malnutrition. I do not know what to [do to deal with] high blood pressure, diabetes, anaemia, dizziness, lack of food and lack of drink. This is our life in Gaza.” 

ActionAid reiterates calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to the blockade of humanitarian aid to allow for food, medical supplies and fuel to enter Gaza.

Jamil Sawalmeh, Country Director of ActionAid Palestine, said

“The human cost of the aid blockade is extremely high. Daily, we hear heart-wrenching stories of mothers experiencing complications with their pregnancies due to a lack of food and medical supplies.”

“Access to food and medical care is an immediate imperative on which the lives of thousands of women and their unborn children depend. We need the world to know that their continued inaction on the humanitarian situation in Gaza is affecting not only this generation but future ones too.”