Gaza Strip: EU Concern After UN Report on famine

Her concern about the famine people face in – a situation that is predicted to deteriorate rapidly over the next few weeks – is voiced by EU High Representative Joseph Borrell and the Commissioner for Crisis Management Janes Lennarcic. The EU officials’ announcement was issued on the occasion of the evaluation of the comprehensive food safety registration framework (IPC), which was released today and shows the development of the worst possible provision for the Gaza Strip. “Gaza is already facing famine, with 100% of people estimated to be in acute food insecurity, according to the IPC. In the northern provinces of Gaza, 70% of the population face imminent famine,” says Z. Borrell and G. Lenarcic. They also note that in the centre and southern provinces, 50% of people face devastating food insecurity conditions and the situation is predicted to deteriorate rapidly over the coming weeks and months, while famine is likely to affect the South as well. “This is unprecedented. No IPC analysis has ever recorded such levels of food insecurity anywhere in the world,” it is underlined. “We are already witnessing, with horror, the death of children from hunger,” it is noted in the announcement and it is underlined that “hungry cannot be used as a war weapon”. “It is our moral duty to stop it” “What we see is not a natural danger but a man-made disaster and it is our moral duty to stop it. Over 30,000 people have already died because of the conflict, a large part are children, and the death toll could increase rapidly due to hunger or disease. The situation is beyond disaster. There is an absolute imperative need to act now,” points out Z. Borel and G. Lenartsic. Finally, it is noted that the EU is investigating all possible means of assistance, including air castings and maritime corridors – instruments that do not replace full and unconditional opening of land access. The two officials urge Israel to allow free, unhindered and secure humanitarian access to all people in need and to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN agencies and other humanitarian agencies. “The EU recognises their key work and remains committed to their security and to ensuring seamless access to those in need”. In 2024, the EU initially allocated more than EUR 125 million to humanitarian funding to the Palestinians in need, of which more than EUR 50 million are specifically earmarked for food aid and health care and other basic needs. Additional EUR 68 million is allocated to support Palestinians within Gaza and throughout the region, with a particular emphasis on food, nutrition and health. The EU also provides food aid through ‘Humanitarian Air Bridge’ flights for the Gaza population.