Catastrophic levels famine has been confirmed in the Gaza Strip for the first time, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a joint statement on Friday.
"More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths, according to a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released today. Famine conditions are projected to spread from Gaza Governorate to Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis Governorates in the coming weeks," the statement read.
According to IPC, there are five phases of malnutrition, with phases from three to five marking severe food deprivation. The latest analysis shows that the conditions in the Gaza Strip are sufficient to declare the most extreme category of famine, the statement added.
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The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has officially declared famine in Gaza City for the first time, underscoring the catastrophic humanitarian crisis caused by Israeli regime’s ongoing military assault.
ReplyDeleteThe IPC, established in 2004, has only recognized famine five times in its history. The declaration comes after months of warnings, with the organization now confirming that Gaza meets its criteria: at least 20% of households facing extreme food shortages, 30% of children suffering acute malnutrition, and at least two people per 10,000 dying daily from starvation.
According to the IPC, more than 500,000 residents in the Gaza Governorate — which includes Gaza City and nearby towns — are living under famine conditions. The organization warned the disaster is likely to spread to other areas by the end of September, potentially pushing 1.07 million people into emergency food insecurity.
The report released by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) saying that Gaza is suffering from famine should have come out earlier, the Palestinian movement Hamas said in a statement.
ReplyDelete"Hamas sees the declaration as extremely important, even though it was adopted with a significant delay as Gaza residents have been suffering the consequences of the enclave’s blockade for months," reads the statement posted on Telegram. In this regard, the movement called for an early "opening of all checkpoints on the border with the enclave and ensuring food, water, drug and fuel deliveries." Hamas also demanded the UN Security Council "take immediate action to end the Gaza blockade."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday slammed a UN-backed declaration that famine was present in parts of Gaza, calling the report “an outright lie.”
ReplyDeleteHamas called on Friday for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and the lifting of the Israeli siege on the territory after the UN declared a famine in parts of Gaza.
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