Over 500K in War-Torn Gaza One Step from Famine, Warns UN

Photo: Reuters

The situation in Gaza is dire, with an impending famine in the northern region, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). Since January 23, no humanitarian aid has been able to reach this area, exacerbating the already challenging circumstances faced by the population. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas further complicates the delivery of essential assistance, creating a critical humanitarian emergency.

WFP's deputy executive director, Carl Skau, delivered a stark warning to the UN Security Council, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. His counterpart from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Ramesh Rajasingham, echoed these concerns, stating that widespread starvation is "almost inevitable." The gravity of the situation is evident as at least 576,000 people in Gaza, constituting a quarter of the population, are on the brink of famine. Shockingly, one in six children under two years old in northern Gaza is suffering from acute malnutrition and wasting, as highlighted by Rajasingham.

Gaza's water crisis adds to the humanitarian woes, with reports indicating that 97% of groundwater is unsuitable for human consumption. The Deputy Director General of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Maurizio Martina, warns of collapsing agricultural production, further intensifying the challenges faced by the population.

Despite available aid at the border and 1,000 trucks carrying 15,000 metric tons of food in Egypt, access to Gaza is allegedly being systematically blocked by Israeli forces, as reported by OCHA's spokesperson Jens Laerke. This obstruction has resulted in a denial of planned aid convoys, with the last allowed entry dating back to January 23, according to the World Health Organization.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the main UN aid agency in Gaza, is facing a breaking point. Funding freezes, pressure from Israel to dismantle the agency, and soaring humanitarian needs have strained UNRWA's capacity to address the crisis effectively.

The desperate situation has prompted calls for action from the Security Council. WFP's Skau emphasizes the need for collective responsibility, urging the international community to intervene promptly to avert a worsening crisis. The evolving nature of this crisis underscores the importance of monitoring real-time updates from reliable news sources for the latest developments.

Feb. 28, 2024 12:45 p.m. 2550

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