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A World Food Programme (WFP) report reveals that 2.2 million Palestinians, primarily in the Gaza Strip, were experiencing acute food insecurity in 2024.
Food insecurity levels are categorized into five phases using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) harmonized framework (CH), ranging from 1 to 5. Higher classifications indicate greater vulnerability and severity.
Of the 2.2 million in 2024, 300,000 were classified as IPC/CH Phase 3, 900,000 as Phase 4, and 1.1 million as Phase 5.
The WFP also calculated the prevalence of acute food insecurity at 100% in 2024.
These figures for both the number of people and prevalence remained unchanged since 2023, representing the highest levels recorded. This contrasts with previous trends showing a decline in food insecurity.
In 2020, the WFP estimated 1.4 million Palestinians experiencing acute food insecurity, with a prevalence of 64%.
The following year, this decreased to 1.3 million people and a prevalence of 59%. A further decrease occurred in 2022, with 1.2 million people affected and a prevalence of 55%.
The surge in acute food insecurity in 2023-2024 is attributed to the extensive Israeli attacks on Palestine since October 7, 2023. UNICEF reported a doubling of acute malnutrition in Gaza in March 2024.
"One in three children under two years old currently suffers from acute malnutrition in the northern part [of Gaza], according to nutritional assessments conducted by UNICEF and partners," UNICEF stated on its website, as quoted on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
The WFP previously defined the phases of acute food insecurity as follows: Phase 1 (None/Minimal): Households can meet essential food and non-food needs. Phase 2 (Stressed): Households have minimally adequate food consumption but cannot afford essential non-food expenditures without employing coping strategies. Phase 3 (Crisis): Significant food consumption gaps are evident, with high rates of acute malnutrition. Households may marginally meet minimum food needs but must deplete essential livelihood assets. Phase 4 (Emergency): Similar to Phase 3, but with acute malnutrition leading to death. Phase 5 (Famine): Catastrophic famine. Households experience extreme food and basic needs deficits, even after employing maximum coping strategies. Starvation, death, destitution, and critically high rates of acute malnutrition are evident.
The WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warn that acute food insecurity is likely to worsen further in 18 famine-prone hotspots, comprising 17 countries or territories and one regional cluster of four countries, between June and October 2024.
Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, and Sudan remain at the highest level of concern. Haiti has been added to the list of highest-concern countries/territories due to increased violence by non-state armed groups (NSAGs).
"Disclosure: This is an AI-generated translation of the original article. We strive for accuracy, but please note that automated translations may contain errors or slight inconsistencies."
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