UN Reveals 67 Percent of Gaza Residents Experience Acute Food Insecurity

JAKARTA - The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that around 1.4 million people, or the equivalent of 67 percent of the Gaza Strip population, are currently experiencing acute food insecurity.

In a joint statement, the two UN agencies said the situation showed a slight improvement compared to the end of last year, but was still critical, especially for vulnerable groups, children, and the elderly.

They estimate the number of people facing acute food insecurity has dropped from 1.6 million people, or 77 percent of the population, at the end of last year to around 1.4 million people.

However, almost 212,000 people are still in the "emergency" phase, which is categorized as Phase 4 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

The statement also warned that around 74,000 children will need treatment for acute malnutrition in the next year, while around 25,000 pregnant and lactating mothers will need nutritional support.

It is also said that many of those affected live in areas adjacent to the line controlled by the Israeli military, where access to humanitarian aid and essential services is still very limited.

IPC divides the level of food insecurity into five phases, with Phases 3 to 5 indicating acute food insecurity and Phase 5 representing a state of absolute famine.