The European Union Commission has expressed shock over results of Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessment for Gaza released on Thursday.
According to the IPC, 100% of people in Gaza are estimated to be acutely food insecure, while a quarter of its population faces catastrophic hunger and starvation.
The European Union through its High Representative, Josep Borell, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič in a statement on the risk of famine, said this estimation is unprecedented, adding that IPC analysis has ever recorded such levels of food insecurity anywhere in the world.
According to them, “This is a grave development and should be a wakeup call for the whole world to act now to prevent a deadly human catastrophe.
“The only way to stop people dying of hunger is to ensure the protection of civilians, allow the safe access of humanitarian and health workers across Gaza, and provide sufficient food to all civilians in need, wherever they are.
“We urgently need continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to avoid a further worsening of an already catastrophic situation”, they said.
While reiterating the urgent call for respect of International Humanitarian Law, they noted that lack of access to basic staples is creating a situation of famine.
He said, “Aid needs to reach those in need through all necessary means, including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.
“Through its humanitarian food assistance, the EU aims to ensure access to safe and nutritious food for the most hungry and vulnerable people in crises around the world”.
They stated further that in 2023, the EU has increased its humanitarian funding for Palestinians in need to over €100 million, €46 million of which is specifically dedicated to food assistance and to cover health and other basic needs.
“The EU is also delivering nutritional assistance via Humanitarian Air Bridge flights for the people of Gaza. For next year, the European Union has set aside €125 million in humanitarian support to ensure continued support for people in Palestine who need it the most”.
A report published by the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on Thursday says that the proportion of households facing crisis levels of hunger is the highest it has ever recorded globally.
“At least one in four households (more than half a million people) in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic acute food insecurity conditions (IPC Phase 5 – Catastrophe), characterized by extreme food gaps and collapse of their livelihood,” the report said.
“About 80% of the population in [the] Gaza Strip are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) or Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5).” The report adds that there is a risk of famine in Gaza if the “current situation” continues.
“The only way to eliminate any risk of Famine is to stop the deterioration of health, nutrition, food security and mortality through the restoration of health and WASH [water, sanitation and hygiene] services, and the provision of safe, nutritious food to the whole population,” the report said.
“The cessation of hostilities and the restoration of humanitarian space to deliver this multi-sectoral assistance and restore services are essential first steps in eliminating any risk of Famine.”