WHO and IPC urge immediate action as one in five people in Gaza faces starvation

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warns that Gaza’s entire population faces high levels of acute food insecurity, with half a million people facing starvation. In its latest food security analysis for Gaza, the organization says there is a high risk of famine in the coming months.

The IPC report says immediate action is essential to prevent further deaths, starvation, acute malnutrition, and famine. “This entails ending hostilities, ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access, restoring essential services and commercial flows, and providing sufficient lifesaving assistance to all in need.” 

WHO, a member of the IPC partnership, adds that the risk of famine in Gaza is increasing with the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid, including food, in the ongoing blockade.

“We do not need to wait for a declaration of famine in Gaza to know that people are already starving, sick, and dying, while food and medicines are minutes away across the border,” says WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

“The report shows that without immediate access to food and essential supplies, the situation will continue to deteriorate, causing more deaths and descent into famine.”

Upscaling threat levels

For the period from May 11 to the end of September 2025, IPC says Gaza is classified as “Emergency” (IPC Phase 4). The entire population faces “Crisis” or worse acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) on its five-level scale for food insecurity and nutritional deprivation. 

Although “Famine” (IPC Phase 5) has not officially been declared, IPC cautions, “this worst-case scenario is becoming more likely.” 

The organization says this is caused by “the announced expansion of military operations throughout the Gaza Strip, the persistent inability of humanitarian agencies to access populations in dire need, an anticipated escalation in hostilities, and the continued mass displacement of people.” 

IPC expects nearly 71,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children aged six to 59 months, including 14,100 severe cases, between April 2025 and March 2026. Moreover, it says that nearly 17,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women will need treatment for acute malnutrition.  

In the coming year, IPC expects nearly 71,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children and 17,000 breastfeeding and pregnant women needing treatment.The WHO notes that since the aid blockade began on March 2, 57 children have reportedly died from the effects of malnutrition, according to the Ministry of Health. It adds that this number is likely underestimated and will likely increase. 

Malnourished breastfeeding women struggle to produce sufficient milk, and the delivery of counseling services for mothers is compromised. The WHO highlights breast milk is the best protection against hunger and disease for infants under six months. 

“Immediate end to the blockade”

At the start of this year, a ceasefire allowed a temporary alleviation of acute food insecurity and malnutrition conditions in parts of the Gaza Strip. However, IPC warns that the ongoing blockade and escalating conflict have displaced over 430,000 people and disrupted access to humanitarian assistance, markets, health, water, and sanitation. 

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) closed its support in April as it ran out of food stocks, and all preventive nutrition supplies have run out. Meanwhile, food prices soar daily. IPC reports that wheat flour ranges from US$235 per 25 kg in Deir al-Balah to US$520 in Gaza and Khan Younis — a 3,000% increase since February 2025.

“Families in Gaza are starving while the food they need is sitting at the border,” says WFP executive director Cindy McCain. “It’s imperative that the international community act urgently to get aid flowing into Gaza again. If we wait until after a famine is confirmed, it will already be too late for many people.” 

WFP says that over 116,000 metric tons of food assistance are positioned in aid corridors, enough to feed one million people for up to four months. Hundreds of pallets of lifesaving nutrition treatments are also placed for entry. 

The WHO adds that it has lifesaving medical supplies outside Gaza, ready for deployment, while its remaining supplies inside Gaza can only treat 500 children with acute malnutrition. Essential medicines and supplies to treat diseases and trauma injuries are running out and cannot be replenished.

The organization calls for the “protection of healthcare and an immediate end to the aid blockade, which is starving people, obstructing their right to health, and robbing them of dignity and hope.” WHO also urges the release of all hostages and a ceasefire, which it says leads to lasting peace.

WFP has over 116,000 metric tons of food assistance positioned in aid corridors and WHO has lifesaving medical supplies outside Gaza.IPC urges the immediate implementation of multi-sectoral, integrated interventions, including food, nutrition, health, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene services), and livelihood assistance.

Impact of malnutrition

WHO cautions that the long-term impact and damage from malnutrition can last a lifetime in terms of stunted growth, impaired cognitive development, and poor health. 

“Without enough nutritious food, clean water, and access to healthcare, an entire generation will be permanently affected.”

It adds that malnutrition and disease “fuel each other,” especially for children. Malnutrition weakens the body’s ability to heal from injuries or fight off diseases. Meanwhile, infections increase a person’s nutritional requirements while reducing nutrient intake and absorption. 

IPC and WHO note that the plan recently announced by Israeli authorities to deliver food and non-food items is “highly insufficient” to meet the immediate needs of over two million people in Gaza. 

Moreover, IPC cautions that the proposed distribution mechanisms will likely create significant access barriers for large population shares. 

“A well-established and proven humanitarian coordination system, led by the UN and its partners, is already in place and must be allowed to function fully to ensure that aid is delivered in a principled, timely, and equitable manner,” concludes the WHO.