WHO Warns of Imminent Famine Risk in Gaza Strip Amid Escalating Conflict

GENEVA: The World Health Organization issued a stark warning on Thursday, classifying the entire Gaza Strip in Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 4, indicating an emergency level of food insecurity. As the conflict intensifies, the risk of famine looms large, threatening to exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation in the region. According to Kuwait News Agency, the WHO raised alarms over the worsening conditions, noting that acute malnutrition rates have surged to ten times higher than they were before the escalation of the war. The organization cautioned that the number of people facing catastrophic conditions, classified as IPC Phase 5, could nearly triple by early 2025. This bleak forecast underscores the urgent need for humanitarian intervention in the region. The WHO's report highlights that nearly two million people, accounting for over 90 percent of Gaza's population, are expected to be in IPC Phase 3 or higher. By April 2025, it is projected that 345,000 individuals will be in IPC Phase 5, labeled as catastrophic, and 876,000 in IPC Phase 4, the emergency level. Currently, around 1.84 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, with 133,000 facing catastrophic conditions and 664,000 in emergency. The ongoing violence has had devastating impacts on the region, displacing nearly two million people and destroying 70 percent of Gaza's agricultural lands. This destruction has severely crippled food systems, leaving the population in a state of critical need. Displacement has forced nearly the entire population to relocate multiple times, often amidst continuous shelling and airstrikes. Many are now living in overcrowded makeshift camps, with densities reaching up to 40,000 people per square kilometer. In September, the volume of supplies entering Gaza hit its lowest point since March 2024, according to the WHO. This significant decline is expected to severely restrict food availability and access to basic services, further compounding the challenges faced by the populati on in the coming months.