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Food supply

Starvation and Malnutrition Soar in Gaza, WFP Faces Dire Operating Conditions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the conflict in Gaza persists, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is struggling to deliver life-saving food aid to the most vulnerable populations. According to the latest assessment of food security, published on July 29, starvation and malnutrition in Gaza have reached unprecedented levels, with two out of three famine criteria breached in parts of the Strip. Over 300,000 children are at risk of severe malnutrition, and more than half a million people are on the brink of famine.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 300,000 children in Gaza are at risk of severe malnutrition, with acute malnutrition spiking in the region.
  • More than half a million people in Gaza are on the brink of famine, with two out of three famine criteria breached in parts of the Strip.
  • WFP has managed to dispatch over 10,400 metric tons of food aid inside Gaza via more than 800 trucks since July 27, but this is still a fraction of the 62,000 metric tons required every month to meet basic humanitarian needs.
  • WFP aims to transport 2,000 metric tons of food aid into Gaza every day, but has only managed to meet 47% of this target since July 27.
  • Civilians are intercepting WFP food aid trucks, preventing organized distributions and hindering the delivery of supplies to the most vulnerable populations.
  • The use of more routes and border crossing points, faster clearances, and dependable communications are needed to improve operating conditions inside Gaza.
  • WFP has over 170,000 metric tons of food in storage or on the way to the region, enough to feed the entire population of 2.1 million people for nearly three months.

Statistics:

  • Over 300,000 children are at risk of severe malnutrition in Gaza.
  • More than 500,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine.
  • WFP has dispatched over 10,400 metric tons of food aid into Gaza via more than 800 trucks since July 27.
  • 62,000 metric tons of food are required every month to meet basic humanitarian needs in Gaza.
  • 2,000 metric tons of food aid are transported into Gaza every day, with WFP having met 47% of this target since July 27.
  • WFP has over 170,000 metric tons of food in storage or on the way to the region.

Sources:

  • World Food Programme: "Food Security in Gaza" (July 29)
  • World Food Programme: "WFP continues to push food aid into Gaza despite dire operating conditions" (July 28)
  • United Nations World Food Programme (http://www.wfp.org/)

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