The Gaza Strip may face severe famine conditions, with food insecurity, malnutrition, and increased mortality possible within six weeks, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). Gian Caro Cirri, WFP’s Geneva director, noted that Gaza is nearing a famine situation due to ongoing conflict and limited access to humanitarian aid.
In a statement, Cirri warned that there’s strong evidence that all three famine thresholds will be surpassed within the next six weeks. A United Nations report from March suggested that famine could start in northern Gaza by May and spread across the region by July. A U.S. official recently indicated that the famine risk in Gaza, especially in the north, is very high.
Cirri shared these insights during the launch of a report by the Global Network Against Food Crises, a group of humanitarian and development organizations including United Nations agencies, the World Bank, the European Union, and the United States. The report highlighted that the outlook for the Middle East and Africa in 2024 is deeply concerning due to the ongoing Gaza war and limited humanitarian access.
Due to the conflict, reaching those in need in Gaza is often challenging, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. Cirri emphasized the urgent need to increase aid, but noted that the conflict makes this challenging. The United Nations has criticized barriers to getting aid into Gaza, as Israel’s military campaign has turned large parts of the territory into a devastated landscape following the October 7 attack by Hamas, which triggered the war.
To prevent famine, immediate and continuous food deliveries are crucial, Cirri noted. He also pointed out that many people in Gaza are resorting to selling their belongings to afford food and that some are dying from hunger.
