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Food supply

Gaza Famine Crisis Deepens: Over 640,000 People Face Catastrophic Food Insecurity by End of September

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

More than half a million people in Gaza are facing famine conditions, with the crisis spreading southward to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed that famine has been declared in Gaza City. The report projected that by the end of September, over 640,000 people will face catastrophic food insecurity, with an additional 1.14 million at emergency levels and nearly 400,000 in crisis conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The famine crisis in Gaza is spreading, with catastrophic food insecurity projected to affect over 640,000 people by the end of September.
  • Nearly all cropland in Gaza has been destroyed or rendered inaccessible, exacerbating the food crisis.
  • Acute child malnutrition has reached record levels, with over 12,000 children identified in July alone, a sixfold increase since January.
  • By mid-2026, some 43,400 children and 55,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women are expected to face life-threatening malnutrition.
  • The health system in Gaza has collapsed, with severe shortages of food, fuel, water, and medical supplies, and a surge in infectious diseases.
  • The UN agencies called for urgent measures, including sustained humanitarian access, restoration of commercial flows, rehabilitation of health services, and support for local food production to prevent further catastrophe.
  • Over 1.14 million people are projected to face emergency levels of food insecurity, while nearly 400,000 are in crisis conditions.

Statistics:

  • 640,000 people projected to face catastrophic food insecurity by the end of September.
  • 1.14 million people projected to face emergency levels of food insecurity.
  • 43,400 children expected to face life-threatening malnutrition by mid-2026.
  • 55,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women expected to face life-threatening malnutrition by mid-2026.
  • 12,000 children identified with acute malnutrition in July, a sixfold increase since January.

Sources:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)

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