we are not numbers
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Overpriced diapers, infant formula, and ointments in the Gaza Strip created miserable conditions for the little ones.
A vendor selling single infant diapers and other products at a street stand. Photo: Khaled Al-Qershali
Writer’s Note: Since the ceasefire went into effect on January 19, 2025, supplies have started to enter the Gaza Strip and prices have started to go down for basic necessities. This story describes life before the ceasefire, when basic necessities were hard to find and prices were unimaginable.
Lara Shallah, only 6 months old, suffered from skin inflammations and rashes in the genital area because she had to wear a single diaper for 8 to 10 hours at a time. Before the war, a pack cost 25 shekels, about $7. In late 2024 in southern Gaza, just before the ceasefire, a 40-diaper pack cost from $65 to $80, and a single diaper $2. In addition, medicines for rashes were mostly unavailable.
“Before, she used to wear a diaper for four or five hours maximum,” said Lara’s mother Rasha. The four-child family was displaced in Deir Al-Balah, and the parents had to find a solution for the overpriced diapers. “We decided to save more diapers by reducing the number of diapers Lara wears daily,” said her father, Hosam.
“I wait to change the diaper until it is both wet and soiled,” Rasha explained.
The prolonged use of a single diaper posed a clear risk to the child’s health, yet hygiene products were scarce or “cost a fortune if found in the market,” Hosam said, adding that personal hygiene products, such as disinfectant wipes or paper towels, either could not found in the market or were overpriced.
Hazem Shallah, 40, was a construction worker until the war made him jobless. He secured a tiny tent in Deir Al-Balah in which he, his wife Intesar, and four children are crammed. He and Intesar tried to toilet train their child Mesk because they couldn’t afford to buy her diapers for wear during the day. But water is almost nonexistent for displaced people, which made toilet training even more difficult than it would otherwise be.
Only 2 years old, Mesk wet herself often, since public restrooms in displacement areas are far away and mostly not clean.
“Before you arrived, Mesk woke up and needed to use the bathroom,” Hazem explained. “She couldn’t make it in time and ended up relieving herself on the ground outside the tent.”
Hazem used to buy a large pack of disposable diapers but, he said, “as the prices of diapers increased, now I can only afford to buy one low-quality diaper for the night.” Like Lara, Mesk also suffered from rashes and skin inflammations, but her father couldn’t afford to buy the needed medications. One small medical ointment to soothe rashes and skin inflammations, if found, would cost at least $30, he said.
Scarcity means having to travel long distances to find needed products. Mohammed al-Ghoz, 28, reported that he had to walk for more than 2 kilometers from west Deir Al-Balah to its easternmost part, searching for any available low-quality diapers for his son Rakan, 11 months. He would buy two or three diapers at a time if available.
A stand selling personal care products, including diapers. Photo: Khaled Al-Qershali
As the diaper prices skyrocketed, displaced parents looked for alternatives. Some parents bought large-size adult diapers. They were the same price as baby diapers, but they could be cut into four pieces, then adhered to the children using tape.
Other parents, who could not afford any type of diapers, turned to using pieces of cloth as a reusable diaper. The piece of cloth, which cost a negligible price, could be washed, dried in the sun, and reused again.
Plastic bags were an even more economical option, as they did not need a lot of water for washing. They were adhered to the children using tape.
These alternatives were still not sufficient and could not prevent skin diseases and infections for the children. Parents had to then provide treatment for their children, but as stated already, medicines were scarce and those available were very expensive.
Rasha Shallah tried to breastfeed her daughter Lara, but due to her own insufficient nourishment, she struggled and had to turn to infant formula. The baby consumed one can of formula per week. In late 2024, the father could not afford the high price of formula, so instead he started to buy any type of milk.
Mesk’s father, Hazem, also could not afford formula. “Now I feed Mesk whatever is available,” he said.
Rakan’s father, Mohammed, used to work as a chemistry teacher and freelance writer. He kept freelancing during the war but could hardly afford to put food on the table for his family. “Rakan needs 200g of formula daily,” Mohammed said. “A 400g tub of formula costs 60 shekels [about $16]. It’s low quality and is enough for two days only.”
The same 400g tub of formula used to cost $4 to $5, depending on quality. Mohammed turned to buying regular milk because it was $3 cheaper, even though it was not suitable for Rakan.
The father also cut back on other expenditures to be able to buy both milk and diapers. “We are having only one meal a day to save money for buying diapers and milk for Rakan,” Mohammed said as he held his boy in his arms. He explained, “He is our firstborn son.”
Speaking while trying to get her daughter Lara to stop crying, Rasha said, “Wearing a single diaper for more than its intended time and cutting back formula will affect not only Lara’s physical health, but also my child’s psychological health as well.” Rasha reported that her daughter had stopped crawling or even playing with others as before. “Lara barely stops crying now,” she added.
At this writing, days after the ceasefire, prices have decreased a bit; one diaper costs $1 and one can of formula costs $7. The prices are still expensive and some people still cannot afford it, but as goods are entering the Strip, parents hope that the prices will decrease even more.
