Gaza City: There is a huge likelihood of famine in Gaza, the World Food Program has warned, with winter soon approaching and no end apparently in sight to the conflict or economic instability that has wracked this region for years. With a sharp rise in food prices and decreasing access to basic resources, the number of households dependent on aid for sustenance is growing.

According to WFP, approximately 1.9 million in Gaza are facing food insecurity that may continue escalating due to the onset of winter. Weather conditions soon are going to be unbearable and may aggravate living conditions for already vulnerable people. In most homes, there is no proper insulation, or heater, making them easily susceptible to catching cold and subsequently an illness.

Several unavoidable circumstances have pushed the cost of staple foods in the country in the past months to a rate that has pushed families to the edge of starvation. Military operations, movement restrictions, and a weakened economy have resulted in a severe food shortage. The WFP is worried that if these interventions are not mounted in the short term, the risk of famine will increase.

“We are calling for urgent action to ensure that aid reaches those most affected by the crisis. Our ability to provide food assistance will be seriously compromised without international support and funding,” a WFP spokesperson said. 

In addition to providing only food aid, the WFP is also working to decrease malnutrition among its targeted groups – the most vulnerable of all children and pregnant women. Malnutrition results in devastating long-term consequences for health and development and thus requires well-directed nutritional support interventions.

The organization has been generally incapable of providing relief due to the continued hostilities and logistical bottlenecks. Officials of WFP have therefore called for a ceasefire to facilitate unhindered humanitarian aid into that region. They would like concerted international action to avoid famine and alleviate suffering.

The crisis in Gaza brought much attention internationally as different organizations and activists appealed for higher humanitarian aid. The WFP appealed to the governments and donors to donate more to food programs in the area and suggested that a collective effort was required to find solutions for the root causes of the problem.

“Gaza, which still lacks power and clean water, has never been in greater need of humanitarian aid,” said a WFP spokesperson. “A catastrophic humanitarian disaster must be prevented if we are to act now as winter approaches.”

It is a call of action watched by the whole world, reminding all of the grave challenges people here in Gaza face, as millions remain on the brink of losing access to food. The international community should act urgently and intervene to prevent the situation from getting any worse.

 If acted upon without delay, such calamities will probably mean a desperate hunger of scenarios coupled with the cruel essentials of winter weather without adequate shelter and warmth for most families.

The WFP continues to sustain its mission of providing aid in the form of food and support. However, time waits for no one and urges the organization to take action urgently, so that the most vulnerable survive this winter.

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