In Gaza, babies have no more nappies, milk, as Israeli bombing continues
Al Jazeera
A shortage of nappies because of Israel’s blockade has led to prices skyrocketing and mothers looking for alternatives.
Deir el-Balah, Gaza – On a cold night three weeks ago, Aida al-Baawi rushed from the makeshift tent she had made home to the town’s nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and, amid the ongoing war, gave birth to her daughter.
The birth was a struggle because of a shortage of medical staff to care for her and not enough anaesthesia to mask the pain of receiving stitches.
Her baby girl was born healthy, and a whole new struggle started for 29-year-old al-Baawi as she started searching endlessly for a necessity many mothers take for granted: nappies.
Securing nappies has become al-Baawi’s most daunting challenge, like many mothers in Gaza, as prices skyrocket for the items made scarce by the siege imposed by Israel.
“Every day is a struggle to afford nappies for my baby girl, especially with another child who still needs them,” the mother of four told Al Jazeera.
