Since 7 October, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has significantly deteriorated due to escalated hostilities. Compounded by 16 years of blockade and multiple previous rounds of devastating escalations in violence, the Gaza Strip now grapples with catastrophic water, sanitation, and hygiene needs essential to the survival of its 2.3 million inhabitants, of whom half are children.

This includes Action Against Hunger, which has distributed 5,200 liters of drinking water and food in Gaza City and provided cash assistance through existing financial service providers.

“The lack of water and hygiene is aggravating the diseases: diarrhea, vomiting, skin allergy, lice in the children’s hair,” said Chiara Saccardi, regional head of Action Against Hunger. During last month’s temporary pause in fighting, the World Food Program conducted a rapid food assessment, which it released on Wednesday, concluding that the situation in Gaza was “alarming.”

The people of Gaza could be facing an even worsening crisis – on top of Israel’s assault, which has killed over 13,000 people – due to worsening weather conditions and winter setting in. That’s the assessment of Action Against Hunger.

Lack of access to water is one of the biggest challenges in Gaza, according to the international charity Action Against Hunger, which is warning of “a health crisis on the brink of explosion”. Staff at the charity say overcrowded displacement shelters are close to breaking point. They add that one shelter in Gaza is currently supporting more than 24,000 people and that 60% of the children there are affected by diarrhea. Some people are also resorting to open defecation.

Lack of access to water is one of the biggest challenges in the humanitarian emergency in Gaza right now, and children face the greatest health risks.

Gaza is on the brink of famine.