UNUNRWA says only 6% of Gaza's food needs are being met

 

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has confirmed that the food supplies entering the Gaza Strip meet only six per cent of people’s needs, the Palestinian Information Centre reported yesterday.

UNRWA said that the Israeli occupation allows limited quantities of flour and food supplies through the crossings, which cover just six per cent of the required needs. The agency highlighted that this situation has led to a severe crisis in Gaza, particularly in accessing bread, forcing most bakeries in the southern part of the enclave to shut down.

The agency added that over two million displaced people in Gaza suffer from hunger, thirst, disease and fear. Families find it nearly impossible to secure meals, as conditions in displacement camps and shelters remain dire due to hunger, cold and the inability of international organisations to provide adequate humanitarian aid amidst severe food shortages. It called for the full reopening of crossings to allow essential supplies to prevent widespread famine, with malnutrition and disease already present.

Northern Gaza is enduring especially harsh conditions, said UNRWA, with a critical shortage of drinking water, medicines and food supplies. The continued blockade on humanitarian aid, coupled with ongoing air strikes, artillery shelling, land levelling and demolitions, has deepened the humanitarian crisis.

The Israeli occupation army has continued its aggressive war on Gaza for 415 consecutive days. At least 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, with 105,000 wounded, mainly women and children. An estimated 11,000 more people are missing, presumed dead, under the rubble of their homes and other civilian infrastructure destroyed by the occupation forces.