A new report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released today confirmed that Palestinians cannot escape famine in Gaza. According to the IPC: “Famine is confirmed in Gaza Governorate and projected to expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis Governorates by the end of September.” The data from Gaza that led to this assessment represents the “most severe deterioration since the IPC began analysing acute food insecurity and acute malnutrition in the Gaza Strip.” This marks the first time that famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East.
The worsening of conditions comes as Israel escalates its military assault on Gaza City, where malnutrition rates and deaths due to hunger, disease and bombing are already at catastrophic levels. The assault will force 800,000 hungry Palestinians to flee, with many already displaced more than ten times in less than two years.
“Palestinians who have survived months of starvation, bombardment and displacement are now wasting away from malnutrition. They face the constant risk of illness and disease amid a crippling blockade, preventing food and supplies from reaching the most vulnerable. Now, with an assault on Gaza City, many will have no choice but to make a perilous journey on foot to southern Gaza where they’ll face renewed displacement at overcrowded sites that lack the necessities for survival,” said Jolien Veldwijk, CARE Palestine’s Country Director.
Famine in Gaza is manmade and caused by Israel’s siege, obstruction of aid, targeting of agricultural lands, crops and businesses, and the mass displacement of civilians. The number of children under the age of five at risk of death from acute malnutrition has doubled since May. Nearly 55,500 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women require urgent help. This tragedy has been fueled by global inaction that has allowed civilian harm to escalate.
“We are all being starved, we are losing the energy needed to carry on with daily chores. Hunger is all we can think about. Malnutrition not only impacts your body, but your mind and your soul,” said Samah Wadi, a nutritional expert working at CARE’s primary healthcare center in Deir Al-Balah. “We know that children, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women are amongst the most vulnerable. Every day, 35 of every 40 women I screen suffer from malnutrition, while 20 out of every 40 children we screen suffer from moderate to severe acute malnutrition. People at our clinic, they think nutritional supplements can replace food, then you are forced to explain that these nutritional supplements are just complementary. People are looking for anything to survive on, to hold onto, even if it means it will only save them for another couple of hours.”
When the IPC’s alert on Gaza was published last month, more than 100 deaths from malnutrition had been recorded. Over the few weeks since then, that number has grown to 266, including more than 100 children. Yet this figure does not paint a full picture of the suffering. These are only the verified deaths. The actual number is likely higher.
“Mothers are skipping meals, sometimes going days without food, to try to feed their children. For pregnant women, this can have lasting impacts on the health of the children they’re carrying. We are now seeing a new generation of children who have experienced malnutrition while still in their mother’s womb and throughout their developmental phase,” said Jolien Veldwijk.
Since the famine is manmade, it can be halted and reversed. Reversing famine and saving lives means lifting the siege and allowing humanitarian aid to reach civilians safely.
But addressing famine in Gaza is about much more than just delivering food items. People facing starvation need immediate access to all necessities to survive: specialized treatments for severe malnutrition, safe and clean water, medicine, cooking fuel, psychosocial support, etc. Israel’s siege has made the delivery of such supplies and care impossible. CARE has not been able to get any aid supplies into Gaza since March of this year.
“The alarm has sounded. The warnings have been repeated. The evidence of famine is clear. We know what happens next. Unless world leaders take comprehensive action immediately, each day, the number of Palestinians dying from starvation will exponentially increase. Nobody can say they were not aware. We urge the international community to finally secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the release of hostages and arbitrarily detained people, and full, safe, unhindered, immediate and sustained access to principled humanitarian aid to all people in need in Gaza,” said Veldwijk. “Israeli authorities must end the siege on Gaza, stop the assault on Gaza City immediately, open all border crossings to let aid in and allow humanitarians to do our jobs safely.”
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CARE is a leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. From emergency response to long-term sustainable solutions, CARE is known for our unshakeable commitment to the dignity of all people. We work to support women and girls, so we can effectively address the root causes of poverty and create pathways to economic freedom for all. We do this in partnership with men and boys and community leaders locally, regionally, and globally. For nearly 80 years, CARE has been there, from the first CARE Packages® delivering relief in Europe after World War II, to every major global crisis since. Our long-term development programs and trusted local leadership continue to impact the lives of millions of people around the world.
About CARE Australia
CARE Australia is one member of the global CARE Confederation. CARE Australia supports women and girls around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We work in partnership with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women and girls to be educated and to earn an income, gain access to essential resources like food, health care and clean water, and to be able to withstand and recover from the increasing impacts of disasters, conflict and other crises. Our programs focus on women and girls because we know when one woman breaks the cycle of poverty she brings four others with her – and that’s a powerful multiplier of impact.
