More than half of Gaza’s population on brink of famine: World Bank
Palestinians in Gaza are at an imminent risk of famine as food shortages approaching catastrophic levels are projected to hit more than a million people, the World Bank warned.
In a report on Wednesday, the Washington-based Bank said, “With more than half the population of Gaza on the brink of famine—including children and the elderly—the World Bank Group calls for urgent action to save lives.”
The World Bank said the projected famine could happen at any time between now and late May and conditions were being exacerbated by a number of factors including relentless hostilities, widespread damage to infrastructure and restricted humanitarian access, hindering the delivery of essential supplies and services.
“Household surveys reveal alarming trends, with virtually all households skipping meals daily and a significant portion of children under two suffering from acute malnutrition,” the World Bank said.
As per the report, out of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, 1.1 million fall in the highest risk category of people in catastrophe (phase 5) of the integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale– which means they are at a risk of acute malnutrition or death.
The next 38% have been placed in the category of emergency –requiring immediate action to save lives.
The remaining 12% fall in the third category of people in crisis. The bottom two categories denoting people stressed or people with food security remained empty as no individual in the besieged strip fits in these categories.
The World Bank urged the international community to call for “immediate, free, and unimpeded access of medical supplies, food and life-essential services through all available means at speed and scale to the people of Gaza.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the IPC report as an "appalling indictment of conditions on the ground for civilians."
“Palestinians in Gaza are enduring horrifying levels of hunger and suffering”, the UN chief said.
“This is the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded by the Integrated Food Security Classification system – anywhere, anytime,” he added.
Terming the starvation as an entirely man-made disaster and a stain on collective humanity, Guterres said, "We must act now to prevent the unthinkable, the unacceptable and the unjustifiable."
UNRWA, the main UN aid agency for Palestinians, has confirmed that one in every three children in northern Gaza is malnourished. In the last few weeks, over 25 children have died due to hunger in the coastal territory.
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