FAO, WFP, And UNICEF Urge Immediate Action To Prevent Famine In Gaza Amid Severe Food Insecurity

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF have urgently appealed for the opening of crossings into Gaza. They stress the need for unrestricted humanitarian aid access to prevent a looming famine, agricultural collapse, and increasing malnutrition and deaths due to the ongoing blockade. Residents face severe shortages of food, water, and healthcare.

A recent report from the "Integrated Food Security Phase Classification" (IPC scale) highlights that all 2.1 million Gaza residents are experiencing severe food insecurity. The report categorises 93% of the population between phases three and five. Specifically, 244,000 people are in phase five (catastrophic famine), 925,000 in phase four (emergency), and the rest in phase three (crisis).

Currently, nearly 470,000 individuals face actual famine conditions. Immediate treatment is required for 71,000 children and over 17,000 mothers suffering from acute malnutrition. Since early 2025, about 60,000 children have needed direct intervention. The United Nations warns that from May 11th to September's end in 2025, the situation will worsen with the entire population remaining in crisis or worse.

In agriculture, FAO reported that before October 2023, about 42% of Gaza's land was cultivated. However, military operations have damaged or destroyed 75% of fields and olive orchards. Additionally, two-thirds of agricultural wells became unusable at the start of 2025.

The FAO has distributed over 2,100 tonnes of animal feed and veterinary supplies to more than 4,800 herders. Despite this effort, these supplies fall short. FAO warns that if essential supplies remain blocked, an additional 20-30% of livestock could die.

Cindy McCain from WFP stated: "Entire families are starving while aid stands at the borders without permission to enter. Famine does not occur suddenly; it emerges when people are denied access to food and care."

Urgent Need for Humanitarian Aid

UNICEF's Catherine Russell highlighted that hunger is now a daily reality for Gaza's children. She called for immediate action to avert a humanitarian disaster. More than 116,000 tonnes of food aid await entry at crossings but remain blocked by the ongoing siege.

Food stocks have been exhausted entirely. All subsidised bakeries have closed since April's end due to depleted wheat flour and cooking fuel supplies.

Call for International Law Compliance

The UN agencies urge all parties involved to adhere to international humanitarian law by allowing immediate supply entry. They warn that continuing the blockade will lead to death rates surpassing famine levels soon.

These organisations emphasise that more than one million people could be fed for four months if the blocked food aid is allowed entry into Gaza.

With inputs from WAM