Gaza Avoids Famine, But Millions Remain Food Insecure, UN Agencies Warn
Despite a recent ceasefire and increased aid, a staggering 77% of Gaza’s population faces high levels of acute food insecurity, with the situation remaining “extremely fragile,” according to a new report.
A fragile reprieve from famine has taken hold in Gaza following the October ceasefire and a modest increase in humanitarian and commercial access, but the underlying crisis remains deeply entrenched. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis confirms that no areas of the Strip are currently classified in famine, a welcome development after months of dire warnings. However, the report, released today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), cautions that this progress is precarious and could rapidly reverse without sustained and substantial international support.
At least 1.6 million people – a full 77% of the population – are still grappling with high levels of acute food insecurity, including over 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women projected to suffer acute malnutrition through April of next year. While a significant improvement, four governorates – North Gaza, Gaza Governorate, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis – remain classified in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) through April 2026. This designation signifies severe food insecurity characterized by substantial food consumption gaps, elevated rates of acute malnutrition, and an increased risk of mortality. Notably, Gaza Governorate was downgraded from a previous Famine classification, signaling a positive, albeit limited, shift.
The ceasefire has facilitated some deliveries of essential supplies, including food, animal feed, and commercial imports, leading to improved access for some households. However, the vast majority of families continue to face severe shortages. Since the ceasefire took effect, over 730,000 people have been displaced, many now residing in makeshift shelters and heavily reliant on humanitarian assistance. Compounding the crisis are severe limitations in access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, healthcare, and the widespread destruction of critical infrastructure, including cropland, livestock facilities, fishing operations, and roads.
“Humanitarian needs remain staggering, with current assistance addressing only the most basic survival requirements,” a senior official stated. Children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women are particularly vulnerable, exhibiting worryingly high levels of malnutrition despite recent improvements in aid delivery.
Even with markets now better stocked, the cost of nutritious food remains prohibitive for many families. Nutrition-rich foods, especially proteins, are scarce and unaffordable, leaving 79% of households unable to purchase adequate food or access clean water. The report reveals a deeply concerning reality: no children are reaching minimum dietary diversity, and two-thirds experience severe food poverty, consuming only one to two food groups daily.
The situation is further exacerbated by overcrowded living conditions, damaged sewage systems, unreliable water supplies, and the desperate measures families are taking to stay warm, such as burning wood or trash. These conditions are driving outbreaks of disease, including respiratory infections, diarrhea, and skin diseases, particularly among children.
The four UN agencies are prepared to scale up their responses, but are facing significant obstacles. “The strain caused by import restrictions, access constraints and major funding gaps is severely hindering our capacity to operate at the necessary scale,” one analyst noted. Interventions supporting food security, nutrition, health, WASH, agriculture, and livelihood recovery are all critically underfunded.
Revitalizing local food production is seen as a key component of long-term recovery. “Gaza’s farmers, herders and fishers are ready to restart food production, but they cannot do so without immediate access to basic supplies and funding,” said Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO’s Office of Emergencies and Resilience. “The ceasefire has opened a narrow window to allow life-sustaining agricultural supplies to reach the hands of vulnerable farmers. Only funding and expanded and sustained access will allow local food production to resume and reduce dependence on external aid.”
The impact on children is particularly acute. “Gaza’s children are no longer facing deadly famine, but they remain in grave danger,” said Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Director of Emergency Operations. “After more than two years of unrelenting conflict, children’s bodies and developing brains carry deep, lasting scars. Food is now in markets, but many families simply cannot afford to buy it. Health facilities are barely functioning, clean water and sanitation services are scarce, and winter is bringing increasing suffering to displaced people huddling in makeshift shelters. These fragile gains could vanish overnight if fighting resumes. We need sustained humanitarian access, restored basic services, and above all, lasting peace. Gaza’s children have suffered enough. The world cannot turn away now.”
The World Food Programme (WFP) emphasized the importance of building towards self-sufficiency. “Once again, we have shown that we can push back on famine when we have the access, security and funding to deliver food and vital support,” said Ross Smith, WFP Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Now is the time to double down on these gains and ensure people can reliably access essential services. WFP stands committed to support families in Gaza to move from aid dependency towards self-sufficiency and a future free of hunger and grounded in hope, stability, and prosperity.”
The healthcare system in Gaza remains severely compromised. “The ceasefire has created space for recovery, but it has not erased the damage of two years of conflict,” said Altaf Musani, WHO’s Director for Humanitarian and Disaster Management. “Only fifty per cent of Gaza’s health facilities are partially functional and many have been damaged during the conflict. Even functioning health facilities face shortages of essential supplies and equipment which are subject to complex entry procedures and restrictions with many classified as potentially dual-use. Malnutrition remains high, especially among children and women. WHO is supporting seven severe acute malnutrition stabilization centers across the Gaza Strip. Much more is needed to address the vast health needs. To scale up life-saving services and expand access to care, WHO urgently calls for the expedited approval and entry of essential medical supplies, equipment, and prefabricated hospital structures.”
The FAO, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO are jointly urging all parties to guarantee sustained, safe, unimpeded, and timely humanitarian and commercial access across Gaza; lift restrictions on essential imports, including agricultural inputs, food commodities, nutrition, and healthcare supplies; rapidly scale up funding for essential services; and reactivate local food production and value chains. Without decisive action, the agencies warn, the hard-won gains since the ceasefire could quickly unravel, potentially plunging Gaza back into a catastrophic famine and hindering any progress towards recovery. Only sustained access, adequate supplies, and substantial funding can prevent a return to famine and pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future for the people of Gaza.
