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United Nations

Gaza Faces Grave Risk of Famine as Food Consumption and Nutrition Indicators Plummet

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The conflict-ridden Gaza Strip is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster, with catastrophic food security conditions affecting hundreds of thousands of people, including over 500,000 enduring famine-like conditions and 320,000 children at risk of acute malnutrition. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF have sounded the alarm, warning that time is running out to mount a full-scale humanitarian response. Food consumption has plummeted, with nearly a third of the population going days without eating, while acute malnutrition has quadrupled in Gaza City, reaching 16.5 per cent among children under five.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 500,000 people in Gaza are enduring famine-like conditions, while the remaining population is facing emergency levels of hunger.
  • Acute malnutrition among children under five has quadrupled in two months, reaching 16.5 per cent in Gaza City.
  • Over 320,000 children, nearly the entire population under five in the Gaza Strip, are at risk of acute malnutrition.
  • More than 6,500 children were admitted for treatment for malnutrition in June, the highest number since the conflict began.
  • Essential nutrition services have collapsed, with infants lacking access to safe water, breastmilk substitutes, and therapeutic feeding.
  • The risk of malnutrition-related deaths among infants and young children is higher than ever before, with fewer than 15 per cent of essential nutrition treatment services currently functional.
  • The WFP and UNICEF are calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, and the urgent restoration of essential services, including health, water, and sewage infrastructures.
  • The protection of civilians and aid workers, alongside the revival of commercial supply chains to restore local markets and local food systems, is also a critical priority.

Statistics:

  • 39 per cent of the population are going days at a time without eating.
  • Over 320,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition.
  • More than 6,500 children were admitted for treatment for malnutrition in June.
  • Malnutrition levels among children under five have quadrupled in two months, reaching 16.5 per cent in Gaza City.
  • The risk of malnutrition-related deaths among infants and young children is higher than ever before.
  • Over 62,000 tons of life-saving aid are required every month to cover basic humanitarian food and nutrition assistance needs in Gaza.

Sources:

  • WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain statement
  • UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell statement
  • United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
  • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
  • Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Alert

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