Addressing Malnutrition and Food Shortages in Palestine

Across Gaza, the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, families are facing worsening and often extreme food shortages. This escalating crisis is driven by Israeli military violence, displacement and deepening poverty.

Many Palestinians are unable to access enough nutritious food. Israel’s blockade of Gaza, movement restrictions in the West Bank, and a perpetual humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in Lebanon means this is worsening day-by-day. The result: rising malnutrition and a surge in diet-related conditions like anaemia, wasting, stunting, and vitamin deficiencies, especially among children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

In Gaza, restrictions on aid, spiraling food prices and crumbling livelihoods make it nearly impossible for many families to meet their basic nutritional needs. In refugee camps in Lebanon, similarly poor living conditions and lack of income opportunities have left many without fresh, healthy food. Settler violence in the West Bank and targeted attacks on agricultural land and livestock cut families off from their main source of food and income.

Since October 2023, the situation has deteriorated even further in Gaza:

Israeli military violence and displacement has destroyed bakeries and disrupted food supply chains.
The few healthcare facilities that remain are overwhelmed, unable to cope with rising rates of malnutrition.
Humanitarian access is severely restricted, making food aid delivery difficult and often dangerous.

Without immediate action, the lives of thousands of Palestinians, especially the most vulnerable, are at serious risk

In the face of this escalating crisis, MAP is taking action

We are delivering comprehensive nutrition services in Palestinian communities to tackle malnutrition head-on. Our efforts include:

Home visits by trained health professionals, delivering vital antenatal and postnatal care
Providing nutrition education, giving families the knowledge they need about food, nutrition and health
Early detection of malnutrition cases through targeted screening and monitoring, and referral for therapeutic food
Delivering food parcels to families in urgent need
Tailored support for coeliac patients, providing gluten-free flour where needed

Through this holistic approach, we can address immediate hunger and protect lives, whilst also supporting long-term community resilience and health.