ActionAid responds to IPC report on food insecurity in Gaza: “It is inconceivable that Gaza remains at high risk of famine”

In response to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report on food insecurity in Gaza published today, ActionAid said: 

“It is inconceivable that Gaza remains at high risk of famine despite repeated warnings about the enormous scale of the food crisis over the last few months and clear demands outlining the action immediately required to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation. The IPC’s report notes that while some improvement was observed in March and April, the food situation has been deteriorating since Israeli military attacks on Rafah intensified in early May, and the current trajectory is both negative and highly unstable. Our colleagues and partners paint a dire picture of the situation across Gaza right now, with entire families forced to survive on a single can of tinned food, and pregnant women suffering miscarriages because they are so malnourished.  

“Already, the number of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration in Gaza is rising. If things continue as they are, more than a fifth of the population is expected to fall into the highest category of food insecurity any time between now and September – which means that starvation and death will increase. This is not inevitable: the report is clear that the risk of famine can be reduced, but only if a ceasefire and sustained humanitarian access to the whole of Gaza is secured. The world must wake up to the gravity and urgency of this crisis and demand a permanent and immediate ceasefire now – the alternative is unthinkable.” 

Dr. Mohammed Salha is acting director of Al Awda hospital in northern Gaza, run by ActionAid’s partner Al-Awda. In a recent voicenote, he described the dire lack of food and its impact on patients. He said: 
“We are in the north [where] since more than two months, we are without vegetables and fruits and fresh food. We now have a few kinds of food only: flour, some cans. And it's [affecting] the nutrition of children and women. 

“There is no milk for many of [the] children. We are providing only one can of milk for each [baby] [for] the women who [gave] birth in Al-Awda Hospital.” 

Ghadeer, a 32-year-old mother of four who has just given birth to a baby girl by caesarian section, is currently living on a rooftop in central Gaza with 35 other people. She said: 

“There is generally no food and if there is, it is expensive for us. Fruit is non-existent, and milk and eggs are not available. We rely on beans and canned food that occasionally come from aid provisions. “My baby’s’ weight is low and she needs more attention and care. She must feed more, but there is no food.” 

Contact the ActionAid press office on uk.media@actionaid.org or on 07753 973 486.