Famine is imminent in Gaza between March and May: IPC

Famine is imminent and likely to occur between March and May in northern Gaza and could spread across the country by July, according to a report released by the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

“The famine threshold for household acute food insecurity has already been far exceeded and, given the latest data showing a steeply increasing trend in cases of acute malnutrition,” the report issued on Monday said. 

“It is highly likely that the famine threshold for acute malnutrition has also been exceeded,” report added.

“Between mid-March and mid-July, in the most likely scenario and under the assumption of an escalation of the conflict including a ground offensive in Rafah, half of the population of the Gaza Strip (1.11 million people) is expected to face catastrophic conditions.”

The IPC defined its findings as the most severe level on the Acute Food Insecurity scale. This is an increase of 530,000 or 92% people compared to the previous analysis.

Moreover, according to the report, “The upward trend in non-trauma mortality is also expected to accelerate, resulting in all famine thresholds likely to be passed imminently.”

The UN took it as ‘horrifying levels of hunger,’ in which Palestinians in Gaza have been suffering. 

Following the report, the authority termed the situation as ‘unnatural’ and stated, “This is an entirely manmade disaster — and the report makes clear that it can be halted.”

“This is the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded by the Integrated Food Security Classification system –anywhere, anytime,” U.N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the reporters. 

The IPC, which is comprised of about 18 different U.N and non-U.N agencies, had raised the alarm about Gaza’s situation in December, saying famine could occur by the end of May.

“The latest evidence confirms that Famine is imminent in the northern governorates and projected to occur anytime between mid-March and May 2024,” IPC added.

However, Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu expressed no intention to ceasefire.