UN Declares "Catastrophic Famine" in Gaza Amid Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

 

The United Nations has officially declared a state of "catastrophic famine" in the Gaza Strip, warning of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. In a stark announcement made by senior UN officials, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated to the most severe level on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale—Phase 5, known as "Catastrophe."

According to the latest assessment by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 80% of Gaza’s population—more than 2 million people—are now facing acute food insecurity. In northern Gaza, entire communities are surviving on minimal food, with many families reduced to consuming animal feed, boiled leaves, or going days without any nourishment.

“People in Gaza are not just hungry—they are starving to death,” said a senior UN humanitarian coordinator. “This is not just a food crisis; it is a full-blown human tragedy driven by conflict, blockade, and the destruction of essential infrastructure.”

The declaration comes amid ongoing military operations, widespread displacement, and the near-total collapse of healthcare, water, and sanitation systems. Access for humanitarian aid remains severely restricted, with aid convoys frequently delayed or denied entry at border crossings.

UN agencies report that at least 500,000 people in Gaza are living in conditions comparable to famine, with children and elderly populations the most vulnerable. Malnutrition rates among children under five have reached alarming levels, with thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition—a condition that can be fatal without immediate treatment.

The United Nations is calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, unrestricted access for aid deliveries, and urgent international support to prevent further loss of life. “The world cannot stand by while an entire population is pushed to the brink of starvation,” the UN Secretary-General emphasized in a recent statement.

Humanitarian organizations are scaling up emergency food distributions, mobile health clinics, and nutrition programs, but resources remain critically low. The UN has launched an urgent appeal for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding to sustain life-saving operations in the coming months.

The declaration of catastrophic famine in Gaza marks one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies of the 21st century and underscores the urgent need for global action to protect civilians and restore basic human rights.