UN reveals 67 percent of Gaza's population faces acute food insecurity

Rome (ANTARA) - The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have stated that approximately 1.4 million people, equivalent to 67 per cent of the Gaza Strip’s population, are currently experiencing acute food insecurity.

In a joint statement published on Thursday (23/7), the two UN bodies said the situation shows a slight improvement compared with the end of last year, but remains critical, particularly for vulnerable groups, children and the elderly.

They estimate that the number of people facing acute food insecurity has fallen from 1.6 million, or 77 per cent of the population, at the end of last year to around 1.4 million.

Nevertheless, nearly 212,000 people remain in the “emergency” phase, categorised as Phase 4 of the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC).

The statement also warned that around 74,000 children will require treatment for acute malnutrition over the coming year, while some 25,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers will need nutritional support.

It was also noted that many of those affected live in areas close to the line controlled by the Israeli military, where access to humanitarian aid and essential services remains severely limited.

The IPC divides food insecurity levels into five phases, with Phases 3 to 5 indicating acute food insecurity and Phase 5 representing confirmed famine conditions.