Rome – One year into the conflict, the risk of famine remains high across the whole Gaza Strip with more people likely to fall into severe hunger as conflict intensifies and winter approaches, according to a new report published by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global initiative.
The new data reveals that about 1.84 million people across the Gaza Strip are experiencing extremely critical levels of acute food insecurity due to ongoing fighting, which has already displaced nearly 2 million people, destroyed 70 percent of crop fields, decimated livelihoods and local food production systems, resulted in collapse of health services and severely restricted humanitarian access and commercial activities. Acute malnutrition is also at serious levels – ten times higher than before the escalation of hostilities.
A minor reduction in the severity of food insecurity seen in the current period of analysis (September – October 2024) is largely attributed to the surge in humanitarian assistance in North Gaza, Gaza city, Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates between May and August 2024. This slight improvement will be short-lived considering the ongoing fighting and the clampdown on humanitarian and commercial activities observed since September, which will likely see an increase in the number of people suffering from severe food insecurity and acute malnutrition during the winter.
According to the new IPC report, around 133,000 people or 6 percent of the population are now experiencing catastrophic food insecurity (IPC Phase 5, Catastrophe). This number is expected to rise to about 345,000 people or 16 percent of the entire population, between November 2024 and April 2025.
Winter planting season is crucial
FAO’s priority now is to reactivate local food production and restore the availability of highly nutritious food in Gaza, particularly in view of the upcoming winter season which is characterized by colder temperatures and increased rainfall – typically resulting in a deterioration in the food security and nutrition situation across the Gaza Strip.
Like other United Nations and humanitarian actors, FAO has experienced logistical and security challenges, particularly due to the restrictions at crossings, and the collapse of law and order inside Gaza, that constrains the delivery of vital agricultural aid. Severe shortages of agricultural inputs significantly hinder local production efforts, making meaningful planting and agricultural activities nearly impossible.
“To curb acute hunger and malnutrition, we must act now – immediately cease hostilities, restore humanitarian access to deliver critical and essential food aid and agricultural inputs in time for the upcoming winter crop planting season which has already started – to allow them to grow food,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol.
“Humanitarian aid alone is not enough. People need fresh, nutritious food. To make a difference, we also need to support farmers to continue and restart the production of food, as well as the flow of imported food and non-food items,” she added.
Keeping livestock alive
FAO is deeply concerned about significant livestock losses, which are indispensable for the livelihoods and the survival of people in Gaza. One of the Organization’s key priorities is to protect 30 000 sheep and goats — representing about 40 percent of the total estimated to be alive. By nourishing these animals, enough milk can be provided for all of Gaza’s children.
As of 29 September 2024, FAO has distributed fodder to over 4 400 livestock holders in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah, and veterinary kits to about 2 400 herder families.
FAO stands ready to deliver more essential supplies – additional fodder, greenhouse plastic sheets, plastic water tanks, vaccines, energy blocks, and animal shelters – once access, security, and mobility conditions are restored.
Under the latest UN Flash Appeal for the period of April to December 2024, FAO is seeking around $40 million to provide immediate and emergency assistance, including distributing animal feed and health inputs, replacing livestock that have died, and offering support to vulnerable farmers and livestock herders in both Gaza and the West Bank. So far, FAO managed to secure approximately $2.25 million.
