OCHA: There is a narrow window to prevent the spread of famine in Gaza
The UN’s humanitarian chief warned Sunday that time is running out to prevent famine from spreading beyond northern Gaza, with only weeks left to avert mass starvation in central and southern areas.
There is a narrow window, until the end of September, to prevent famine from spreading to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. That window is now closing fast, said Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
In a statement issued last night, Fletcher stressed that the death, destruction, starvation, and displacement of Palestinian civilians are the result of choices that defy international law and ignore the international community.
Calling for immediate action, Fletcher urged: Let humanitarian aid in – unimpeded and at the scale we can deliver. Protect civilians. Implement the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures. Release the hostages. Free arbitrarily detained Palestinians. Ceasefire.
Fletcher condemned Israel’s latest displacement order in Gaza City, noting it came two weeks since famine was confirmed in Gaza, and amid a massive military offensive.
He added: Death, destruction, starvation and displacement of Palestinian civilians are the result of choices that defy international law and ignore the international community.
Fletcher called for unhindered humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and the implementation of the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has confirmed famine in northern Gaza and projected that it will spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September.
