UN agency warns of looming famine, agricultural collapse in Gaza, urges immediate aid access
New IPC analysis finds 1.95M Gazans faced 'crisis or worse' hunger in April-May, with 244,000 in catastrophic conditions
GENEVA
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday sounded the alarm over the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, warning of imminent famine, agricultural collapse, and potential outbreaks of deadly epidemics unless immediate humanitarian access is restored and blockades are lifted.
The warning follows the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which finds that the entire population of Gaza -- some 2.1 million people -- is at "critical risk of famine," after 19 months of war, displacement, and aid restrictions.
From April 1 to May 10, 93% of the population, 1.95 million Gazans, was classified in IPC Phase 3 or above, meaning "crisis or worse." This includes 244,000 people in Phase 5 (catastrophe), and 925,000 in Phase 4 (emergency).
For the May-September period, the report projects that all Gazans will remain in Phase 3 or higher.
"The international community must act now. The immediate restoration of access to humanitarian and commercial supplies at scale is critical," FAO chief Qu Dongyu said in a statement. "Every delay deepens hunger and accelerates starvation, bringing us closer to famine."
FAO, in the statement, also raised concerns over the collapse of the agricultural sector.
Prior to the war, 42% of Gaza's land supported farming. But a joint FAO-UNOSAT (UN Satellite Center) analysis shows that 75% of crop fields and orchards have been damaged or destroyed, while over two-thirds of the 1,531 agricultural wells are no longer operational.
Livestock production has nearly halted, with losses expected to increase as feed and veterinary care are cut off, it said.
"Without feed and veterinary kits, not only do herders lose these critical food sources, but untreated animals also pose serious public health risks," the agency warned.
Since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to food, medical, and humanitarian aid, deepening an already humanitarian crisis in the enclave, according to government, human rights, and international reports.
More than 52,800 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
