The UN-backed hunger monitor warned on Friday that the food situation in Gaza remains “dire” despite conditions somewhat easing due to improved access to humanitarian aid.
“No areas have been classified as in famine,” the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative (IPC) said in a statement. report,
“The situation remains critical.”
It said more than 70% of the Gaza Strip’s population lives in temporary shelters, with many at increased risk of hypothermia due to falling winter temperatures. Due to torrential rains in recent days, camps for displaced people in Gaza have been flooded.
Gaza faces ’emergency’ levels of hunger
The IPC report said the entire region is classified as “emergency”, with UN agencies stressing that the scale of agricultural destruction, hunger, malnutrition and disease remains “alarmingly high”.
Agencies stressed that despite improvements in access to assistance since the ceasefire came into effect on 10 October, assistance is still inadequate.
“Humanitarian needs remain staggering, with current assistance only addressing the most basic survival needs,” the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the World Food Program (WFP) and the UN’s agriculture agency (FAO) said in a statement. joint statement,
The agencies called for a substantial increase in aid to the Gaza Strip, saying: “Only massive access, supplies and funding can prevent a return to famine.”
According to the IPC report, about 1.6 million people are estimated to face “crisis” levels of food insecurity by April 15.
The IPC declared that famine had broken out in Gaza City in August.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire has not yet entered the second phase
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a shaky US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terror group, with both sides accusing the other of almost daily ceasefire violations.
As the first phase of the ceasefire nears completion, the remains of a hostage killed in terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, are still in Gaza.
Earlier this month, mediators Qatar and Egypt called for the next step in a three-phase deal.
The second phase provides for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the Gaza Strip, with an interim authority taking control of the area and an international stabilization force deployed.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet in Miami on Friday with senior officials from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to discuss the second phase of the Gaza plan.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery