Thomas White, the Director of Operations for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, has highlighted a dire hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip.
White, in a post on the social media platform “X”, revealed that the region is experiencing “catastrophic hunger,” with 40% of the population facing the threat of famine.
“People are hungry and just desperate for food UNRWA convoy in Gaza this week. 40% of the population at risk of famine. More regular supplies needed – require safe and sustainable humanitarian access everywhere including to the North of Gaza.”
White’s post concluded with an urgent call for more regular supplies, emphasizing the need for safe and sustainable access to humanitarian aid across the region, including in northern Gaza.
Accompanying his post was a video showing hundreds of Palestinians flocking to a UNRWA aid convoy in Gaza City.
The ongoing conflict has led to the deaths of over 21,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
A quarter of Gaza’s population is now suffering from severe hunger, underscoring the urgency of international assistance and intervention.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep concern about the increasing risk of the spread of infectious diseases in Gaza amid the displacement and humanitarian conditions.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “As the massive displacement of people continues across the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and some families are forced to flee more than once, many taking refuge in overcrowded health facilities, my colleagues and I at the World Health Organization remain very concerned about the increasing risk of infectious diseases.”
