UN agencies warn of famine and catastrophic food situation in Gaza

Roma, (ST) – United Nations organizations have affirmed that a humanitarian catastrophe is facing Gaza Strip, as more than half of its population suffers from “catastrophic hunger”.

The famine is also expected to strike the north of the Strip at any time, in the absence of any urgent intervention to prevent this.

The Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Beth Bechdol said in an interview with AP: The Integrated Interim Classification for Food Security issued by the organization reveals that fifty percent of the entire population of the sector, which is equivalent to about 1.1 million people, are at catastrophic levels close to famine and this matter is unprecedented.

This is considered the highest number recorded by the food security classification, which defines famine as (the population facing widespread malnutrition and the occurrence of hunger-related deaths due to lack of access to food).

According to Bechdol, the situation in northern Gaza in particular is difficult, and if there is no change in humanitarian aid deliveries, the famine will be catastrophic.

In turn, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, Martin Griffiths said in a post on the X platform that the international community should feel ashamed of its inability to stop the imminent famine.

World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain joined these warnings, saying in a statement: The people of Gaza are dying of hunger.

In a statement, the World Health Organization (WHO)pointed to the lasting effects of malnutrition, especially on children. It warned that the current situation will have long-term effects on the lives and health of thousands.

WHO added: This current situation puts the health and safety of an entire future generation at risk.

Heba Al-Tibi, the Director of the Non-Governmental Organization “CARE” in the West Bank and Gaza Strip said: Medical teams see children losing weight as day by day, and children who can barely speak and walk due to hunger.

She added that hunger is a slow and painful death.

The occupation prevents the Commissioner-General of UNRWA from entering the Gaza Strip

On the other hand, last night , the Israeli occupation prevented the Commissioner General of the United Nation Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugee (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini, from entering the Stricken Gaza Strip.

Lazarini said in a blog post on the X platform” On the day new data emerged about famine in the Gaza Strip; the Israeli authorities prevented me from entering the Strip”. He pointed out that the hunger in the Strip is a result of the measures and siege imposed by the Israeli occupation.

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s report issued by   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations indicated that the equivalent of about 1.1 million Palestinians are suffering from catastrophic  food insecurity due to the war waged by Israel on Gaza.

Raghda Sawas,  Souha Suleiman