WHO Chief Warns Progress in Tackling Gaza's Famine Still 'Fragile'

JAKARTA - The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Sunday that progress in addressing hunger in Jaur Gaza, Palestine is still "very fragile" after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that no area in Gaza is currently classified as a region facing famine.

"This encouraging progress remains very fragile as residents continue to struggle with massive infrastructure damage, the collapse of livelihoods and local food production, and restrictions on humanitarian operations," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on the X social media platform, Anadolu reported (22/12).

Tedros further noted that more than 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant-lactating women are still projected to suffer from acute malnutrition until April next year, while only 50 percent of health facilities in Gaza are partially functional and face shortages of supplies and essential equipment.

"To improve life-saving services and expand access to care, WHO calls for the approval and accelerated entry of essential medical supplies, equipment, and prefabricated hospital structures," he said.

According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, no area in Gaza is currently classified as facing famine following the ceasefire signed in October.

Although recent developments amid the fragile ceasefire, including proposed peace plans and increased food flows, have helped ease the most extreme conditions, the IPC warned that the outlook remains bleak.