Susan Mohammed Marouf, a nutritionist at the Patients’ Friends Society, warned of the dire situation. “We currently have four child patients in the Therapeutic Nutrition Department, all of whom are suffering from severe malnutrition. This is due to a lack of nutritional supplements and basic foods necessary for maintaining health,” she said.

Marouf explained to Viory that the shortage of essential foods including proteins, vegetables, and fruits, has led to widespread malnutrition, worsening the condition of the most vulnerable.

“Malnutrition is affecting all age groups, particularly children, who are the most vulnerable in society. Their condition has worsened since the ban on aid and supplements,” she noted, adding that even medical staff are struggling to perform their duties due to food scarcity.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that 10 more people died from famine-related causes on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from hunger to 111. The health system has nearly collapsed, with 38 hospitals reportedly destroyed.

“Today, most people suffer from malnutrition, including medical staff, who are unable to perform their duties properly. Doctors are so fatigued due to a lack of food that they cannot treat patients properly, not to mention children, who are the most vulnerable. Their conditions are even more severe,” Marouf added.

The World Health Organisation has described the situation as “mass starvation caused by a blockade preventing the entry of food and medical aid.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has labelled it a “horror show.”

Israel, however, has denied responsibility, with government spokesperson David Minster claiming that the shortages are “man-made,” blaming Hamas for the crisis.

In one such camp, a group of young Sudanese volunteers has stepped in to ensure children don’t lose access to education. “The initiative, honestly, was launched through the efforts of young people. There is no supporting entity, no organisations or bodies backing it,” said Jamal Ahmed, a volunteer. “The youth collect contributions, identify what’s lacking, and provide it to the school. We submitted aid requests to several organisations and initiatives, but the response was that this camp is just a temporary stop and there’s no mandate to support education. That’s why we rely entirely on our own efforts, especially the children’s parents, who are the main pillar of this initiative,” he told Viory.

Despite these challenges, the initiative has managed to provide classes for children from kindergarten to sixth grade. A teacher at the camp explained the hurdles they still face, “Through the initiative, we’ve been able to provide education for children from kindergarten up to sixth grade. But we still lack so much, some children study out in the open with no mats, no school supplies, and no toys. We're grateful to anyone who offers support, and all thanks go to our brothers and sisters in the 'Our Hands for the Country' initiative,” he said.

Around 13 million people have been displaced, including 3.8 million who have fled to neighboring countries.