Famine risk intensifies amid ‘catastrophic’ hunger in Gaza - WFP

More than one in four households in Gaza are enduring “catastrophic” hunger, according to a new food security report published on Thursday by humanitarians, including the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the UN News Centre reports.

Data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report confirms that there is a risk of famine in the devastated enclave, unless access to adequate food, clean water, health and sanitation services is restored.

The IPC platform analyses data to determine the severity and magnitude of hunger crises, according to internationally-recognized scientific standards.

This figures show the entire population of Gaza – roughly 2.2 million people – is living with crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity.

It highlights that just over a quarter (26 percent) of Gazans (576,600 people) have exhausted their supplies and coping capacities and now face catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) and starvation.

“WFP has warned of this coming catastrophe for weeks. Tragically, without the safe, consistent access we have been calling for, the situation is desperate, and no one in Gaza is safe from starvation.” said Executive Director Cindy McCain.

According to the IPC, there is a risk of famine occurring within the next six months if the current situation of intense conflict and restricted humanitarian access persists.

“These are not just numbers – there are individual children, women and men behind these alarming statistics,” said WFP Chief Economist Arif Husain. “The complexity, magnitude and speed that this crisis has unfolded is unprecedented.”