World Bank warns of famine risk in Gaza
World Bank warns over half of Gaza's populace teetering on the edge of famine, citing dire economic conditions and humanitarian crisis
The World Bank Group said Tuesday that more than half the population of Gaza is on the brink of famine, including children and the elderly.
The international organization called for urgent action to save lives.
"We join the international community in calling for immediate, free and unimpeded access to medical supplies, food, and life-essential services through all available means at speed and scale to the people of Gaza,” it said in a statement.
The World Bank Group's board of directors approved a $35 million commitment to development partners active in Gaza, including the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Program (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), in December.
These funds include a $10 million package to the WFP to purchase food parcels and vouchers to reach an estimated 377,000 people.
Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas last October, which killed nearly 1,200 people.
Over 31,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and almost 74,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.
The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water and medicine.
According to the U.N., 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.
Israel is accused of genocide by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
Source: AA
