A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza, where 197 people have died of famine since August 8, 2025. The UN has warned that 100,000 Palestinian women and children are facing severe malnutrition, with a third of the population having gone without food for days.
Conflicts in Sudan and other countries are also exacerbating hunger crises, particularly among children under five. In El Fasher, North Dafur, people have been starving for over a year.
Health experts warn that refeeding programs can be fatal if not done properly. Marko Kerac, a pediatrician, explains that introducing food too quickly can cause sudden death due to rapid changes in electrolytes.
Refeeding syndrome is a risk for malnourished individuals who resume normal eating too quickly. People with kidney failure or eating disorders are most susceptible. The condition arises when the body adapts to reduced nutrition and is unable to cope with a sudden flood of nutrients, leading to arrhythmia and potentially fatal consequences.
Experts recommend introducing food slowly, using “stabilization feeds” such as special milk formulations and ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs). RUTFs like Plumpy’Nut can help prevent refeeding syndrome in famine regions. However, aid organizations face challenges in delivering aid due to lack of access to malnourished children and pregnant women.
International pressure is needed to ensure safe conditions for aid agencies to resume their work and prevent a humanitarian crisis. Governments in affected regions must prioritize the delivery of food and RUTFs to vulnerable populations, while also addressing the underlying causes of hunger crises.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/a-73571753