Gaza's infant malnutrition crisis needs more than just infant formula

Karleen Gribble; Bindi Borg; Nerfana Mowadad; Reem Al Soufi; Mija Ververs

doi:10.1111/mcn.70131

Gaza's infant malnutrition crisis needs more than just infant formula

Karleen Gribble
, Bindi Borg
, Nerfana Mowadad
, Reem Al Soufi
, Mija Ververs

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Macquarie University
Gaza Infant Nutrition Alliance
Gaza Infant Nutrition Alliance (GINA)
Johns Hopkins University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

In recent months, media reports have highlighted the crisis of malnourished infants in Gaza with an infant formula shortage commonly presented as causal. Infant formula has become a symbol of the blockade, the war, and the need to end both. As practitioners in infant and young child feeding in emergencies, including with first‐hand experience in Gaza (Qudieh et al. 2025), we find this messaging concerning. It risks promoting donations and untargeted distribution of infant formula that will harm, rather than assist, infants.

Original language	English
Article number	e70131
Number of pages	2
Journal	Maternal and Child Nutrition
Volume	22
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.70131
Publication status	Published - Mar 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2 Zero Hunger

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Gaza's infant malnutrition crisis needs more than just infant formula

Abstract

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