More than 1.8 million Gazans suffer “extremely critical” hunger levelswith 70% of the crop fields destroyed and the livelihoods decimated due to the ongoing Israeli military offensive, according to a food security assessment backed by the United Nations Organization (UN) and published this Thursday.
According to the CPI index (acronym in English for “Integrated Classification of Food Security Phases”) from the latest UN study on the Gaza Strip, 133,000 people —which is equivalent to 6% of the population— are already in the Phase 5of “catastrophic food insecurity.” Furthermore, there is concern that, with the arrival of winter, this figure will increase to 345,000 people, which would represent 16% of the population.
“He Risk of famine persists throughout the Gaza Strip. Given the recent escalation of hostilities, there is growing concern that this more serious scenario could materialize,” the assessment notes.
Furthermore, the IPC assessment explains that only through widespread access to adequate food, medical supplies, water and basic services throughout the Strip will the risk of a rapid slide into famine be contained.
Between September and October 2024, the entire territory has been classified in the Phase 4 of the IPC (“humanitarian emergency”). Acute malnutrition is estimated at Phase 3 (“acute food and livelihood crisis”), affecting 1.84 million peopleten times more than before the start of hostilities. From the UN, they express their concern that, by April 2025, more than 90% of Gazans will be at least in Phase 3.
In September was registered on lowest volume of supplies which has entered Gaza since March 2024. This sharp decline will profoundly limit families’ ability to survive in the coming months. The upcoming winter season is expected to bring colder temperatures, along with rain and possible flooding. Seasonal illnesses and increasingly limited access to water and health services are likely to worsen acute malnutrition.
Nour Azab: “My biggest fear is when my son says: ‘Mom, I’m hungry’, and there is no food”
Suliman and Nour Azab They narrate their distressing situation World Food Program. They have six children, they have been displaced more than three times and sometimes they had to sleep on the street in the rain. In the absence of shelter, they have been forced to return to their home. Yan Juniswhich is at risk of collapsing. “My biggest fear is when my son says, ‘Mom, I’m hungry,’ and there’s no food. I have a baby too and I don’t even have diapers for him. It’s pure suffering. Winter is coming and I don’t know how I’ll cope.” “. The entire family is supported by a single plate of food. hot, which they collect from a community kitchen supported by the Program.
UN call to Israel
Farhan HaqUN deputy spokesperson, has expressed the Secretary-General’s concern about the CPI figures. During a press conference New Yorkdeclared that “a year after the conflict, a famine is coming.” And he sentenced: “This is intolerable”.
The Secretary-General has called on Israel to immediately reopen the crossing points. They also call for the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, as well as the restoration of order, so that the UN can provide humanitarian assistance.
They demand a Immediate, unconditional and sustained ceasefirethe restoration of food systems and better prevention and management of increasing acute malnutrition. They influence the reinforcement of infant and young child feeding programsas well as supplementary feeding programs.
Supplies, a priority
UN agencies are striving to continuously assist all Gazans, despite serious challenges such as insecurity, difficult access and ongoing evacuation orders. Fearing winter, they have launched the reactivation of local food production and the restoration of highly nutritious foods. Even before the start of Israeli violence, winters in Gaza were already showing spikes in hunger and malnutrition.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has implemented a program to protect about 30,000 sheep and goats, which represent about 40% of the remaining livestock. As of the end of September, it has distributed fodder to more than 4,400 livestock farmers in Rafah, Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, and kits veterinarians to approximately 2,400 shepherd families.
They hope to deliver more essential suppliessuch as additional fodder, plastics for greenhouses, water tanks, vaccines, energy blocks and animal shelters, once access and security conditions are reestablished. “By nurturing these animals, we will be able to provide enough milk for all the children in Gaza,” Haq added.
Bombings and deaths continue
Against this backdrop of extreme famine, Israeli violence continues uninterrupted. At least 28 Palestinians, including children, have been killed and 160 injured in an Israeli attack on a shelter located at a school in United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) in the north of the Strip, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
the school Abu Hussein is located in the field of Jabaliaan “isolated” area, due to a “military siege that deprives civilians of essential means of survival,” according to the UN humanitarian coordinator. Besides, only three of the ten hospitals of the northern Gaza governorate are functioning, although they are overwhelmed. It is the third attack on a UNRWA school in the last week.
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