UN Warns of Severe Food Security Crisis in Gaza

The United Nations has issued a dire warning about the state of food security in Gaza, reporting that 1.95 million people, or 91% of the population, are facing acute food insecurity, classified as Phase 3 or worse according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). 

This assessment, conducted by experts from 16 UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, categorizes food security into five phases, with Phase 5 being the most severe.

The extended conflict in Gaza, which has lasted over a year, has significantly destroyed livelihoods, reduced food production, and severely restricted both commercial and humanitarian supply lines. 

According to the IPC, 345,000 individuals are experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger (Phase 5), and 876,000 people are suffering from emergency levels of hunger (Phase 4).

Despite a slight improvement in food security in September and October 2024 due to increased humanitarian aid, the report cautions that this is only a short-term respite. 

Continued fighting and a sharp decline in humanitarian and commercial flows since September are expected to plunge most of the population into severe food insecurity and exacerbate acute malnutrition levels during the winter.

Calls for Immediate Action:

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concern over the findings, stressing the need for immediate opening of crossings into Gaza and the removal of bureaucratic obstacles to allow UN agencies to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid. 

Guterres warned that "famine looms, an unbearable prospect," highlighting the urgency of restoring law and order to facilitate aid distribution.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also highlighted the grave risk to tens of thousands of civilians in northern Gaza due to Israeli military operations. 

These operations are restricting access to essential survival supplies, including water, and have disrupted numerous water and sanitation facilities.

Efforts to Mitigate Winter Impacts:

In central Gaza, the UN and its partners are preparing for the winter and taking urgent steps to mitigate the impact of potential flooding. These efforts include repairing sewage pumping stations in Deir al-Balah and cleaning drainage channels in the Nuseirat camp.

Regarding health initiatives, the World Health Organization reported the completion of a polio vaccination campaign in central Gaza, with over 181,000 children vaccinated against polio and more than 148,000 receiving Vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity. 

Health facilities will continue offering polio vaccinations to families who were unable to vaccinate their children during the campaign.

Olive Harvest and Settler Violence in the West Bank:

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, OCHA reported that Israeli settler violence during the olive harvest season is endangering people's safety and livelihoods. Since the start of the month, 32 attacks by settlers have resulted in injuries to 39 Palestinians and the destruction or theft of 600 trees and seedlings.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Mahnad Hadi, emphasized the economic, social, and cultural significance of the annual olive harvest for Palestinians. He also announced that $750,000 from the Humanitarian Fund has been allocated this year to support Palestinian farmers.

What is the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)?

The IPC is a global standard used to measure food insecurity, often referred to as the "Richter scale" of hunger. It helps simplify data on food security, nutrition, and mortality to guide more effective responses by humanitarian agencies. 

This system is crucial for forming humanitarian response plans and can serve as an early warning system to prevent acute malnutrition from escalating into life-threatening conditions.