The Impact of War: Malnourishment and Disability in the Gaza Strip

 HI publishes a report on the relationship between malnourishment and disability in Gaza.

The conflict in Gaza has led to unprecedented levels of malnutrition, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations, particularly persons with disabilities. Over 70% of crop fields are destroyed, disrupting Gaza’s food systems. Close to 100% of Gaza’s population lives in poverty.

Malnutrition further weakens the immune system, increases infection vulnerability, and reduces muscle strength—issues that exacerbate pre-existing mobility limitations and make recovery more difficult. This dangerous feedback loop endangers the lives of thousands, with malnutrition both worsening and, in many cases, causing disabilities due to its severe physical and cognitive impacts.

Mohammad, HI Disaster Risk Management Officer, Northern Gaza, explains,

“The situation for persons with disabilities in northern Gaza is catastrophic. Many cannot evacuate—not because they don’t want to, but because their assistive devices have been destroyed. Those with hearing disabilities don’t even know when to evacuate. Parents feel the greatest burden, torn by guilt as they risk staying, unable to leave their children with disabilities behind.”

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, food prices in Gaza surged by an astounding 283% between October 2023 and September 2024. Aid deliveries are severely hindered, with only 6% of humanitarian movements into northern Gaza facilitated by Israeli authorities as of October 2024. The resulting food insecurity has left 1.84 million Gazans facing high levels of acute hunger.

An HI staff member entering Gaza with support mission states,

‘’I saw my colleague and couldn’t recognize him: he lost 20kg, but I recognized his voice. I was afraid to hug him as I didn’t want to break him.’’

The projected impact of this food insecurity is stark: The number of people facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity is expected to triple by April 2025. For Gaza’s disabled people, who comprise 21% of surveyed households even before the conflict, the effects of this crisis are particularly dire.

Click here here to access the full report.