1.1 million people in Gaza face famine of catastrophic proportions

The World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations agency, has announced that 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip are facing famine of catastrophic proportions.

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which is under Israeli blockade, deepens every day. The World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations agency, has released the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. The report states that famine is imminent in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, with all of Gaza’s population facing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse.

The report also indicates that famine is expected to begin today in two cities in the northern Gaza Strip, where approximately 300,000 people are trapped. The report mentions, “While the famine threshold for acute food insecurity has long been exceeded, acute malnutrition among children under five is rapidly approaching the second famine threshold.”

“This is the highest number recorded by the IPC system facing famine”
The report states that 1.1 million people, equivalent to half of the population of the Gaza Strip, are facing famine of catastrophic proportions. It mentions, “This is the highest number recorded by the IPC system facing famine, and it is twice the number that was at IPC Phase 5 just three months ago.”
The report highlights that before October 7, acute malnutrition rates in the Gaza Strip were below 1%, and emergency levels of famine were reported in Deir al Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

At least 300 trucks need to enter the Gaza Strip every day just to meet basic food needs
The report states that if aid agencies are allowed to provide food, water, medicine, and sanitation services, famine could be halted even in the north of Gaza. It emphasizes that a humanitarian ceasefire is necessary for this to happen. It is estimated that at least 300 trucks need to enter the Gaza Strip every day just to meet basic food needs, with food distribution particularly needed in the north. The report mentions that only nine aid convoys have reached the north since the beginning of the year.

“This hunger and malnutrition crisis, created by human hands, is devouring Gaza at an alarming rate”
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the WFP, stated, “People are dying of hunger in Gaza right now. This hunger and malnutrition crisis, created by human hands, is devouring Gaza at an alarming rate. There is only a small window of time left to prevent famine, and we need to provide immediate and full access to the north to do so. If we wait until famine is declared, it will be too late. Thousands more will have died. Desperate women and children are just one disease, one forced move, or one disaster away from losing everything they have.”

“Transporting food within Gaza is like navigating a maze full of obstacles at every turn”
Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Operations Director of the WFP, said, “WFP and our partners have food supplies ready at the border and in the region to feed all 2.2 million people in Gaza, but transporting food to and within Gaza is like navigating a maze full of obstacles at every turn. Complex border controls, combined with high tension and desperation in Gaza, make it nearly impossible for food supplies to reach those in need, especially in the north. However, the delivery of 18 trucks of food on Sunday shows that it can be done. This cannot be a one-time occurrence. To support those in need, it must be continuous, regular, and extensive.”

“Road access is critical”
Calling on Israel to provide more entry points for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and to open the port of Ashdod, the WFP stated, “Road access is critical. Airdrops cannot deliver the urgently needed aid to prevent the impending famine.”