UN agency highlights escalating starvation crisis in Gaza with 500000 facing hunger

The United Nations meeting on July 13, 2025, focused on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the World Food Programme (WFP) reported alarming levels of starvation and malnutrition. The meeting underscored the urgent need for humanitarian assistance amid increasingly restricted access to aid.

The WFP representative opened the discussion by highlighting the dire situation, stating that humanitarian needs in Gaza have reached unprecedented levels while the capacity to respond has significantly diminished. A recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report indicated that the entire population is acutely food insecure, with approximately 500,000 individuals facing starvation. The situation has reportedly worsened since the report was released.

Malnutrition rates are surging, with UNICEF reporting that 90,000 children urgently require treatment for malnutrition. The representative shared harrowing accounts from families in Gaza, revealing that one in three people go for days without food. Many families are forced to limit their children's activities to conserve energy due to inadequate nutrition. The meals provided, often consisting of little more than a hot soup with a few lentils or pieces of pasta, are insufficient to meet basic dietary needs.

The meeting concluded with a call for immediate action to improve access to humanitarian aid and address the escalating crisis in Gaza. The WFP emphasized the need for international support to alleviate the suffering of the population and ensure that essential food supplies reach those in desperate need.