470,000 Gazans face the highest risk level: 5, catastrophic risk of famine, according to the FN-supported IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) in a new report.
This is 22 percent of the population. The remaining part of Gaza's inhabitants are estimated to belong to levels 3 and 4: critical or acute famine risk.
The assessment applies to the period from May 11 to September 25, unless Israel lifts its over two-month-long blockade of emergency aid to Gaza. By next March, 71,000 children and more than 17,000 mothers will be affected by acute malnutrition if nothing is done, IPC emphasizes.
Since the blockade began on March 2, hunger and malnutrition have increased sharply in Gaza, warns the UN's fund Unicef and the food program WFP. WFP ran out of supplies in Gaza as early as the end of April.
At the same time as food prices in Gaza risen to "astronomical levels", over 116,000 tons of food are ready at Gaza's borders – without being allowed in. This is enough to supply one million people with food for up to four months, writes the UN agencies in a joint press release.
The situation is worsening day by day. In IPC's previous report, 244,000 people, twelve percent of Gazans, were estimated to face level 5.
"Supplies essential for human survival are either exhausted or are expected to run out in the coming weeks", notes IPC.
