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UN: Gaza 'on the brink of famine' as IPC alert shows two of three thresholds breached
Summary
The United Nations said an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification alert shows two of three famine thresholds have been met in parts of Gaza, and UN officials urged immediate, scaled humanitarian access and a permanent ceasefire to prevent mass starvation.
The United Nations said Saturday that an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) alert indicates two of three famine thresholds have been breached in parts of the Gaza Strip, and UN officials urged immediate, scaled humanitarian access and a permanent ceasefire to avert mass starvation.
UN spokesperson Farhan, speaking at a briefing at UN headquarters, quoted the secretary-general as saying, “Gaza is on the brink of famine. The facts are in and they are undeniable.” Farhan said the UN had invited World Food Programme officials to brief on the IPC findings after the briefing.
The alert and UN humanitarian agencies describe a rapid decline in food consumption and nutrition in Gaza. Farhan said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and partners have been able to bring in more supplies on the first two days of declared tactical pauses, including wheat flour, ready-to-use infant formula, high-energy biscuits, diapers, vaccines and fuel, but added the volume is still “far from enough.”
OCHA and UN speakers reported that aid convoys continue to face impediments on the ground and that most supplies are being offloaded by crowds before reaching distribution points. Farhan said that of 10 planned humanitarian movements the day before, five were initially approved; two of those were accomplished and three could not be completed. “No humanitarian operation can fully support 2,100,000 people on its own,” he said.
World Health Organization personnel in Gaza reported damage to their main warehouse and staff residences in recent days, and WHO has called for the release of a detained colleague and for protection of health care and sustained entry of food, fuel and health aid at scale through all possible routes.
UN officials repeated calls for an immediate and permanent humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza. The secretary-general’s remarks, quoted by Farhan, included: “This nightmare must end. The trickle of aid must become an ocean. Food, water, medicine, and fuel must flow in waves and without obstruction.”
The UN said the World Food Programme’s Ross Smith, director of emergencies, and Sean Martin Bauer, director of food security and nutrition assessments, would brief delegates and journalists virtually on the IPC report following the briefing.
The briefing closed with the UN turning the floor over to the invited WFP officials for a detailed presentation of the IPC findings and field observations.
