To track food insecurity, a scale called the Integrated Security Phase Classification (IPC) is used, where food insecurity is divided into five phases.
In the fifth stage, food insecurity is at its worst and the possibility of mass death increases in catastrophic situations or famines.
Its Famine Review Committee warned on Friday that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is dire and deteriorating rapidly.
According to the committee, immediate action by all parties directly involved in this violent conflict is needed within days rather than weeks to avert a catastrophic situation and rescue the common people from this crisis.
World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain said in a message on the social media platform,
He said, the situation that has been confirmed is completely unacceptable.
Earlier, speaking to UN News, WFP’s Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Jean-Martin Bauer said the situation was caused by large-scale population displacement.
At the same time, commercial and humanitarian aid flows into Gaza have been reduced, infrastructure destroyed and health facilities damaged.
He said the number of aid trucks entering Gaza had dropped sharply.
In the last days of October, only 58 trucks were entering Gaza a day, compared to about 200 in the summer. Most of the humanitarian aid was delivered by truck.
It is reported that food prices have risen due to food supply shortages in northern Gaza and prices have doubled in the past few weeks.
These prices are about 10 times higher than before the violent conflict began. He said, efforts should be made to draw the attention of the world towards Gaza so that necessary steps can be taken.
A humanitarian disaster must be avoided
The Famine Review Committee appealed to all stakeholders to use their authority to prevent a catastrophic situation in Gaza.
In his recommendations, he emphasized on ensuring the delivery of food, water, medical and nutritious food and other essential items to the poor population as soon as possible.
Calls for an end to the Israeli blockade of northern Gaza and an end to attacks on health centers and other infrastructure.
In parallel, medical supplies should be allowed to health facilities and detained health workers should be released.
According to the committee, if these requests are not accepted, the situation could worsen in the next few days, thereby avoiding civilian deaths.