34,012 have been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children.

We must never forget and never stop fighting for what is right

There is global alarm over the IDF's persistent aggression. Failing to push for a ceasefire and hold Israel accountable weakens us all. Israeli forces have demonstrated a disturbing disregard for civilian lives, relentlessly demolishing residential areas and causing mass casualties. Essential infrastructure has been decimated, exacerbating shortages of water, medicine, fuel, and electricity in Gaza. Eyewitness accounts and survivor testimonies repeatedly emphasize the devastating impact of Israeli attacks, leaving Palestinian families with little more than rubble as memories of their loved ones.

What is going on in Gaza?

Despite facing a crisis that cannot be remedied solely by aid, humanitarian agencies must increase and expedite the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. They must ensure its safe distribution. This action will significantly enhance people’s prospects of survival. Lives hang in the balance. We must alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza and crucially protect civilian life and uphold human dignity.

 

Explanation of the food crisis in Gaza

Humanitarian aid, comprising essential supplies such as food, water, medication, and shelter, is not reaching Gaza. A meagre amount manages to pass through the Rafah border, but it is insufficient for the 2.2 million inhabitants.

 

Inflation has soared. Across the region, animal feed is substituting flour, yet even this is exorbitant. In certain areas of Gaza, prices have risen by up to 3,000%.

As a result, 2.2 million people are now confronting extreme food insecurity.

 

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), an independent and internationally recognised entity that employs evidence to forecast and classify food insecurity, now predicts an imminent famine in Gaza. It is likely to occur between early April and May.

 

Overview of events in Gaza

Threat of famine in Gaza: The IPC forecasts that famine in Gaza is imminent and could transpire between now and May. The death toll in Gaza currently exceeds 32,600, with 430 in the West Bank. 75,000 individuals have sustained injuries in Gaza, and 4,690 in the West Bank. Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the ICRC, has advocated for political solutions to the crisis, asserting that aid alone will not suffice. The ramifications of this violence have been felt by communities on both sides.

 

Are any hospitals operational in Gaza?

The healthcare system in Gaza has almost entirely collapsed. Hospitals continue to be ensnared in hostilities, imperilling all within. The closure of the Palestine Red Crescent’s Al-Amal Hospital is among the latest closures.

 

As one of the few remaining medical facilities in the south, the shutdown of Al-Amal Hospital carries profound implications for civilians and jeopardises countless lives. This follows the catastrophic loss of most northern hospitals due to shortages of fuel, medicines, and medical equipment, coupled with a lack of safe access.

 

How many people are currently displaced in Gaza?

There is no secure haven for people. Over 75% of Gaza's total population have been displaced from their homes and urgently require food, water, shelter, and medical assistance. Over the past five months, many have fled to the south of Gaza, escaping from the north. 1.5 million individuals now inhabit less than 20% of Gaza’s land in dire conditions in Rafah. The majority of those seeking refuge in Rafah did not arrive directly but have been displaced as many as five times. People are fearful, feeling there is no safe haven for them. As more individuals are displaced from larger areas of Gaza, overcrowded regions struggle to cope. Basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity are scarcely available.

 

Is food being distributed in Gaza?

Currently, there is a severe shortage of food entering Gaza. Needs are extensive, yet only a trickle of aid is reaching its destination. Teams from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Egyptian Red Crescent Society, and ICRC are prepared to provide essentials - food, water, shelter - where needed. However, a significant increase in regular humanitarian aid delivery to meet the demands is imperative. Humanitarian workers must have secure access to deliver aid where it is most needed.

 

Would maritime corridors aid in delivering aid to Gaza?

We are unequivocal: the most efficient and effective method of delivering aid is generally by land. This approach ensures the swift and sufficient delivery of aid to those in need and enables humanitarian organisations to distribute aid safely throughout Gaza. Before hostilities escalated, 400 to 500 aid trucks entered Gaza daily, and aid operations in Gaza are structured to facilitate the processing and distribution of this aid. The quickest means of increasing aid to Gaza is by allowing more trucks to traverse established road routes.

How can I help?

Contribute to UNICEF’s Aid Appeal. Your contribution can help transform lives and create a brighter future for Palestinians. The entire population of Gaza is facing extreme shortages of food and there is a risk of famine in the coming months. This man-made humanitarian crisis is taking a terrible toll on the lives of children and families. There are no safe spaces in Gaza.


Over 80% of households lack safe and clean water. The average household has less than 1 litre per person per day, for washing, cooking and drinking.

 

Without the clean water needed to safely prepare formula milk, children will be at a higher risk of infection and malnutrition.

We should all be extremely concerned

by the continuing suffering in Gaza

We are observing an unbearable human tragedy unfolding in Gaza. The inhabitants here are enduring starvation, and the healthcare system is on the verge of collapse. In Rafah, where an estimated 1.5 million people have sought refuge, children, women, and men are enduring each hour with the anguish of hunger.

Every day, parents attempt to procure food but return empty-handed. Baby formula is scarcely available, compelling parents to resort to inadequate alternatives for their infants. They must watch as their children become weaker. Conditions are even direr in the northern areas. Overall, it is anticipated that the entire population of 2.2 million is experiencing food insecurity at crisis levels or beyond.