As winter approaches, pregnant women and new mothers in Gaza are facing unbearable conditions. ActionAid warns that thousands of women are giving birth in tents without food, clean water, or medical care, as temperatures begin to drop and the threat of disease and hypothermia grows.
Raneen, a mother in Gaza, describing her struggle to keep herself and her four-month-old baby alive amid relentless deprivation and the collapse of essential services: “The tents and shelter are unbearable. I heard that many children died last winter from the cold, and I pray to God to keep my baby safe this time. We make do with scraps for blankets. I have only two sets of clothes for him, one to wear while the other dries. Even something as simple as finding a way to start a fire for cooking has become a struggle. We’ve already lost so much; all we hope for now is to survive this winter.
“We couldn’t afford baby formula or nappies; one costs up to £3. I could only use one every eight to ten hours, and my baby developed a painful rash that bled. I tried ointments, starch, even sesame oil, but nothing worked. It was unbearable watching him suffer when there was nothing more I could do.
“I used to be strong and healthy, but now, because of malnutrition, I feel as weak as a baby chick. For months, I’ve eaten nothing but lentils, rice, and pasta. I barely have enough nutrition to breastfeed. I fear even our water is unsafe. My hair is falling out, I feel dizzy and exhausted all the time, I’m slowly withering away.”
Across Gaza, healthcare has collapsed. ActionAid is calling for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access; a legal obligation under international law, not a concession of any ceasefire. The ceasefire must deliver a lasting end to hostilities and ensure the free, safe, and sustained flow of aid, upholding Palestinians’ rights to safety, dignity, and self-determination.
An expectant mother, who asked to remain anonymous, told ActionAid: “There are no medical services. I cannot go to a private doctor because I don’t have the money. Most hospitals have collapsed. I am afraid something will happen to me or my baby when I give birth.”
Duaa, another pregnant woman, is suffering from severe malnutrition. “The doctor prescribed vitamins and iron, but I cannot afford to buy them. We beg God to make these remaining months easier, instead of living in this tent.”
ActionAid teams on the ground warn that pregnant and breastfeeding women are among the most at risk, as shortages of food, safe water, and basic medical supplies push Gaza’s humanitarian crisis beyond breaking point.
Jamil Sawalmeh, Country Director of ActionAid Palestine says: “Pregnant women are giving birth and raising newborns in tents, without clean water, food, or warmth. No mother should have to choose between feeding herself or keeping her baby warm. The people of Gaza are trapped in a cycle of survival while winter is fast approaching.
“Over recent weeks, dozens of life-saving shipments of water, food, tents, medical supplies and children’s clothing have been denied entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities, sometimes on grounds that the NGOs are allegedly “not authorised” to deliver aid, despite long-standing registration.
“We demand immediate, unfettered humanitarian access to deliver food, clean water, shelter, and medical supplies. We must protect pregnant women and newborns, ensure safe delivery care and nutritional support. The international community must act now to prevent another wave of tragedy this winter.”
[ENDS ]
Jamil Sawalmeh, Country Director of ActionAid Palestine and Riham Jafari, advocacy and communications coordinator at ActionAid Palestine, are available for interview.
Please contact the press office at uk.media@actionaid.org or on 07753 973 486.
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. We want to see a just, fair and sustainable world, in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality, and to eradicate poverty.