U.S. Calls for Urgent Aid to Gaza Amid Severe Food Insecurity Crisis

The U.S. State Department has called for immediate humanitarian aid to be delivered to residents of Gaza who are facing severe food insecurity. The call comes after U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that includes $26 billion for Israel and $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with the entire population at risk of malnutrition or famine. Sigrid Kaag, the UN's senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, expressed grave concern about a potential Israeli incursion into Rafah, which would compound the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Health infrastructure has been decimated, hospitals are struggling to operate due to shortages, and children are deprived of nutrition, protection, and education.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is providing food assistance to over 1 million people in Gaza each month, including ready-to-eat food parcels, hot meals, wheat flour, and specialized products to address malnutrition. However, the WFP has warned that the Gaza Strip could surpass famine thresholds of food insecurity, malnutrition, and mortality within the next six weeks. A UN-backed report published in March stated that famine was imminent and likely to occur by May in northern Gaza, potentially spreading across the enclave by July.

Why this matters: The severe food insecurity crisis in Gaza threatens the lives of millions and requires urgent international intervention. The potential for famine and further humanitarian crisis underscores the need for immediate action to deliver aid and address the root causes of the conflict.

The U.S. is working with UN partners to open a maritime corridor, including the establishment of a temporary pier in Gaza, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Israel has taken some steps to improve aid delivery, such as increasing the volume of aid cleared and crossed into Gaza, temporarily opening crossings, and resuming operations of some bakeries. However, the U.S. State Department and UN officials stress that further definitive and urgent steps are needed to set the course for a sustained flow of humanitarian and commercial goods into Gaza.

U.S. deputy ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, stated, "As Gaza faces imminent famine, lives are hanging in the balance and every day matters." The extent of the destruction and the devastating impact of this conflict on the entire population call for an ambitious and comprehensive plan of support with commensurate investments, according to UN coordinator Sigrid Kaag. The U.S. remains

Key Takeaways

• U.S. calls for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza facing severe food insecurity.
• Gaza risks famine within 6 weeks, with health infrastructure and child nutrition decimated.
• U.S. working with UN to open maritime corridor to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza.
• Israel has taken some steps to improve aid delivery, but more urgent action is needed.
• U.S. and UN stress need for ambitious, comprehensive plan to address Gaza's crisis.