Earlier this morning, a new report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification confirmed what Mercy Corps and other aid organizations have been urgently warning for months: Gaza is now experiencing famine.
Over half a million people in Gaza City are facing catastrophic food shortages. A million more people are projected to be at risk of starvation and death in the next month.
Famine is now a reality in Gaza after 22 months of violence, blockade, and willful inaction. Nearly every family is skipping meals, scavenging for food, and confronting the escalating risks of starvation, disease, and death. Close to 55,500 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women will need urgent nutrition response.
Mercy Corps is on the ground providing clean drinking water and distributing cash assistance to help families survive. This month, just 55,600 metric tons of food have entered Gaza — a largely insufficient amount to meet the prolonged and compounded needs of families enduring catastrophic levels of hunger in the region.
Aid must be allowed to flow into Gaza to stop this famine from spreading and save lives. Rush your gift now to ensure Mercy Corps is prepared to scale up lifesaving aid in Gaza once the blockade ends and in crisis zones around the world.
Mercy Corps Chief Executive Officer, Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, says:
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"This is the direct result of months of deliberate restrictions on aid, the destruction of Gaza’s food, health, and water systems, and relentless bombardment. This is a man-made catastrophe, entirely preventable and entirely unconscionable.
What we are witnessing in Gaza is a moral failing of the highest order. The world knows how to stop a famine—we just need the will to act."
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The numbers themselves are horrific, but the stories on the ground truly put them into perspective. Mercy Corps team member in Gaza, Areej, describes the devastating impact famine is having on families and children:
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"Everyone I know has lost at least ten kilograms in the past two months, simply because there isn’t enough to eat. The children are the most affected. They can’t focus, they have no energy to play, and their bodies are weak."
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Mercy Corps has lifesaving assistance waiting and ready to distribute as soon as restrictions are lifted. This includes food kits, hygiene supplies, and shelter materials, pre-positioned and waiting for clearance.
Despite the significant obstacles we face, since October 2023, Mercy Corps has reached over 371,000 people with emergency assistance, including food baskets, hygiene kits, shelter kits, emergency cash, and water trucking. Today, we are able to continue supplying clean water to families to help curb the spread of diseases and provide emergency cash assistance to families to purchase basic necessities. But this is just a drop in the ocean of need.
It’s not too late to save lives— we must respond to today’s news with urgent lifesaving and lifesustaining aid.
Thank you for standing with us in support of the families who are suffering. We will keep you updated as the situation changes.
With gratitude,
Mercy Corps
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