The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Warns of Possible Famine in Gaza Strip
Amidst the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the northern Gaza Strip faces the looming threat of famine due to Israel’s continued blockade hindering the transportation of humanitarian aid. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a report on the 18th, highlighting the risk of famine in the region.
According to the FAO report, without immediate intervention, famine could strike the northern Gaza Strip between now and May of this year. The severe food insecurity in the region has reached unprecedented levels, with FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Becdou sounding the alarm on the impending crisis.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the humanitarian disaster unfolding in the Gaza Strip is man-made and urged Israel to allow unrestricted access for humanitarian aid. Guterres called for a humanitarian ceasefire to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Various United Nations agencies echoed these concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to transport relief supplies into the Gaza Strip to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. Arif Hussain, Chief Economist of the World Food Program, stressed the importance of consistent and sufficient supply deliveries to prevent famine across the Gaza Strip.
Commissioner-General Lazzarini of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the East underscored the severity of the situation, stating that hunger in Gaza is rapidly spreading and must be addressed promptly to avoid a full-blown famine. The international community is urged to support humanitarian efforts to mitigate the growing crisis in the region.