New York: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza reached an unprecedented level of deterioration, with the entire population facing food insecurity and nearly 500,000 people on the brink of famine.
WFP Deputy Executive Director, Karl Skau, said in a press briefing in New York following a visit to Gaza that the situation is worse than anything he has ever seen, with humanitarian needs at record highs while the capacity to respond is more restricted than ever.
Malnutrition is worsening rapidly, he noted, with nearly 90,000 children in urgent need of treatment, and one-third of Gaza's population going days without food, stating that he met many families in Gaza, and mothers told him how they try to keep their children from playing to prevent them from burning more energy than the food can replenish.
Skau confirmed that the UN has enough food supplies at the border to feed the entire population for almost two months, but stressed that delivering the aid requires a ceasefire, full access through all crossings, and safety for humanitarian workers.
He also described the killing of civilians while searching for food as the clearest indication of just how desperate the situation has become.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a full-scale offensive on the Gaza Strip, leaving at least 57,823 Palestinians dead and 137,887 injured in an ongoing tally. The assault has devastated every part of the Strip, making life nearly unlivable.
