Kathmandu— In Gaza, Mervat Radwan, a guardian to three orphaned nephews, faces the daily challenge of feeding her extended family. With community kitchens operating irregularly and aid supplies unpredictable, Radwan and her family must rely on limited resources to survive. The situation highlights the broader food crisis affecting Gaza’s displaced population, where rising costs and funding shortages have left many struggling to secure basic necessities.

Food Shortages and Community Kitchens

Community kitchens, a critical source of food for families with little or no income, have seen significant reductions in operations. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, daily production in Gaza fell from about 1.5 million meals via 165 kitchens in mid-March to 698,000 served by 102 kitchens by July. The closures and irregular services are attributed to severe funding shortages and rising operational costs, with charities struggling to secure sufficient food or cooking supplies.

The Radwan Family’s Struggle

Mervat Radwan, 45, became the guardian of her three nephews after their parents were killed in an Israeli air attack. The family, now living in a tent in Deir el-Balah, is reliant on aid and charity to make ends meet. Radwan and her family often skip meals to ensure the children have enough to eat. The scarcity of fresh vegetables and meat, along with the high costs, exacerbates their situation. Habib, one of the children, has been suffering from kidney stones due to a diet high in salt and almost entirely based on canned goods.

Economic and Health Impacts

The lack of diverse food options is not only a financial burden but also a health concern. The World Food Programme reported that 77 percent of households in Gaza struggle to source fresh vegetables, fruit, and protein due to high prices. This scarcity affects the health of children like Habib, who require a balanced diet for proper development. The family’s limited diet is a testament to the broader food crisis in Gaza, where the cost of living continues to rise and aid remains unpredictable.

The Radwan family’s story underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Gaza’s displaced population. As aid organizations struggle to secure funding and resources, the future remains uncertain for many families like the Radwans, who rely on community kitchens and aid parcels to survive.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.