FAO Delivers 150 Tons of Feed to Gaza

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has delivered 150 tons of essential animal feed out of a total of 1500 tons to 2450 families raising livestock in the Gaza Strip.

The aim is to protect the remaining livestock and support the local production of nutritious food such as milk, dairy products, and meat amidst the looming threat of famine in the region.

This marks the first time that feed has entered the sector, which has been in dire need since the escalation of hostilities led to the collapse of agricultural food chains and a rapid deterioration in food security, reaching a critical stage, with signs of famine emerging in the northern part of the sector.

While the agricultural sector was already in decline before the hostilities, it was vital to the local economy, according to a statement received from "Asharq" today.

Before October 7th, food producers in Gaza were supplying products that almost achieved self-sufficiency for the sector, including eggs, milk, poultry, red meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits, which are essential and indispensable in any healthy and nutritious diet, especially for children. Importing these goods as food aid to the sector has become impractical.

About 55% of livestock producing meat and dairy in Gaza has been slaughtered, consumed, or lost due to the conflict.

Until March, only 45% of small ruminant livestock remained, amounting to 30,000 heads of livestock.

The Food and Agriculture Organization aims to deliver a total of 1500 tons of feed initially, which is sufficient to provide milk for nearly 50 days to all children in Gaza under the age of ten, covering about 20% of the minimum calorie requirements recommended by the World Health Organization.

The organization is closely working with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture and local non-governmental organizations to deliver the necessary feed to the Gaza Strip, supported by the governments of Belgium, Italy, and Norway.