Three weeks ago, Aida al-Baawi faced a challenging situation.
On a cold night, she hurried from her makeshift tent to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in her town, giving birth amid the ongoing war. The struggle persisted due to a lack of medical staff and anesthesia. Fortunately, her baby girl was born healthy. However, a new challenge arose for the 29-year-old mother of four – finding nappies for her newborn.
In Gaza, like many mothers, al-Baawi faces the daunting task of securing nappies as prices soar due to the siege imposed by Israel. Affording nappies has become a daily struggle, with prices rising significantly. Before the war, two packs of nappies cost less than $10, but now al-Baawi needs $75 to $80, making the situation unsustainable for many families.
To cope, she resorts to various solutions. Sometimes, she checks the hospital nursery for spare nappies. Other times, she tries to reuse dried nappies despite hygiene concerns. Occasionally, she has no choice but to leave her baby in a soiled nappy until she can obtain more, impacting the delicate skin of the infant. This highlights the immense challenges faced by parents of babies in Gaza amid the ongoing crisis.