The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN warns of an escalating food security emergency in Gaza, with the entire population experiencing acute hunger and the risk of famine growing daily. FAO commits to urgent action, mobilizing essential supplies to address the immediate humanitarian needs and safeguard agriculture-based livelihoods in the region.
In a recent report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global initiative, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) expresses deep concern over the escalating food security crisis in the Gaza Strip. The entire population of approximately 2.2 million people is now confronted with acute hunger, with the risk of famine intensifying daily due to hostilities and restricted humanitarian access.
The report reveals that the entire Gaza population falls into IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse) for the projected period (8 December 2023 - 7 February 2024). Shockingly, 79 percent of the population is classified in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) or Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5), where at least one in four households, comprising over half a million people, faces catastrophic acute food insecurity conditions.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscores the organization's commitment to addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, emphasizing the necessity of an immediate ceasefire for food security. Even before hostilities began, over 25 percent of the Palestinian population was already food insecure, including more than half in the Gaza Strip.
The escalation of hostilities has disrupted essential supplies, leading to the collapse of food-related sectors, including agriculture and fisheries. FAO is poised to provide crucial assistance, including 1500 tons of barley, water tanks, veterinary kits, and fuel once access is granted. This support is crucial to protect livestock and sustain livelihoods in the densely populated region.
FAO, through its technical expertise and co-leadership of the Food Security Cluster, is committed to supporting the people of Palestine. Assessments on the ground and monitoring of hostilities' impact on food security will guide targeted interventions. The organization calls for global attention and immediate action to avert a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.