US EditionWhat is a famine and who declares one?
- U.N. Officials and aid groups have warned for months that Palestinians in Gaza face catastrophic hunger amid a 19-month Israeli military offensive and blockade.
- This crisis stems from Israel's blockade and military actions that destroyed most local food production, while Gaza's population of over 2 million depends almost entirely on external aid.
- Although the Israeli military recently eased a 2 1/2-month blockade, deliveries remain severely limited, with food entering at a fraction of previous wartime levels and distribution impeded by chaos and insecurity.
- An international authority on hunger crises defines famine based on three criteria: when 20% of households face severe food shortages, at least 30% of children experience acute malnutrition, and specific mortality rates are met; however, no official famine declaration has been made for Gaza.
- Limited access and data challenges complicate Gaza’s evaluation, while U.N. Spokesman Jens Laerke noted famines require response despite no large funds, and aid diversion accusations remain unproven with safeguards in place.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Chicago Tribune
What Is a Famine and Who Declares It?
By JAMEY KEATEN For months, United Nations officials, aid groups and experts have warned that Gaza's Palestinians are on the brink of famine. Earlier this month, Israel eased a several-week blockade of the territory as a result of international criticism, but the UN humanitarian aid office said Friday that the entry of supplies into the Gaza Strip remains severely restricted and described the current flow of food as a drip in an area with catast…
The Virginian Pilot
What is a famine and who declares one?
By JAMEY KEATEN For months, U.N. officials, aid groups and experts have warned that Palestinians in Gaza are on the brink of famine. Earlier this month, Israel eased a weekslong blockade on the territory as a result of international criticism, but the U.N. humanitarian aid office said Friday that deliveries into Gaza remain severely restricted, describing the current flow of food as a trickle into an area facing catastrophic levels of hunger. Ga…
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