Famine in Gaza: What You Need to Know 

Famine in Gaza: What You Need to Know

Famine has been confirmed in Gaza. After months of restrictions on humanitarian aid, hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of starvation. 

Right now, a food crisis of staggering proportions is devastating an already exhausted population. Over 500,000 people are trapped in famine and are facing widespread starvation. Thousands of children, the most vulnerable in times of crisis, are at risk of severe acute malnutrition – the deadliest form of malnutrition.  

Families in Gaza live in makeshift tents. Following renewed intense bombardments, families have been once again forced from their homes and now face starvation.

What is happening, and how bad is it?

After months of blockades and bombardments, Famine has been declared in Gaza.

For several weeks now, no aid or commercial goods have been allowed into Gaza. Food prices in markets have spiked to astronomical levels, putting what little food is available out of reach for most families. 

Right now, more than one in three people in Gaza are going days at a time without eating, with adults regularly skipping meals to feed their children.

With food stocks nearly gone, people are struggling to find enough food to eat. Families are facing starvation. 

Help children in Gaza today – because you can save a child from famine.

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What does “famine” mean?

A famine is not simply a lack of food. It is the most extreme form of food crisis, defined by widespread starvation, high levels of acute malnutrition, and deaths.

In famine-hit areas, people will die every day from starvation. 

In August 2025, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) – an international body – confirmed that more than 500,000 people in Gaza are trapped in famine.  

Famine is declared when three critical thresholds – extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths – have been breached. The latest analysis from the IPC now confirms that Gaza is in famine. 

Almost two years of conflict, repeated displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access, compounded by repeated restrictions to food, water, medical aid, health, and sanitation have caused this famine to be declared. 

gaza famine graph
Graph showing the percentage of Gaza’s population at risk of famine and food insecurity.

How does malnutrition effect children?

During famine, malnutrition rates among children accelerate at a catastrophic rate. Right now, 320,000 children aged under five in Gaza are battling malnutrition.

Periods of repeated hunger in early life can be associated with anxiety, poorer brain functions and academic achievements, and recurring mental health problems.

Even children who have recovered from severe malnutrition with UNICEF support remain very vulnerable, and at risk of malnutrition returning, with an increased chance of death.

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How is UNICEF helping now?

UNICEF is doing everything possible under extraordinarily difficult conditions. Despite the blockade, UNICEF continues to provide clean water and support limited health services. However, critical nutrition supplies are running dangerously low. Hundreds of pallets of life-saving food are prepared and waiting, but cannot enter Gaza due to ongoing restrictions.

During the ceasefire earlier in the year, UNICEF was able to scale up nutrition programmes for malnourished children. But due to the ongoing conflict and blockade, currently only about 120 (60%) of nutrition treatment centres remain operational, down from 200 at the height of humanitarian access.

UNICEF is doing what we can now, providing crucial support to families. And we stand ready to respond at scale, once access is possible again. 

 

In photos: malnutrition crisis in Gaza

© UNICEF/UNI792833/Rawan Eleyan. All rights reserved.
© UNICEF/UNI792838/Rawan Eleyan. All rights reserved.
© UNICEF/UNI775171/Rawan Eleyan. All rights reserved.
© UNICEF/UNI738287/Mohammed Nateel. All rights reserved.
© UNICEF/UNI775694/Mohammed Nateel. All rights reserved.
© UNICEF/UNI725835/Mohammed Nateel. All rights reserved.
© UNICEF/UNI792938/Rawan Eleyan. All rights reserved.
© UNICEF/UNI792942/ . All rights reserved.

 

The situation remains critical – but it is not without hope if immediate action is taken now. To prevent further starvation and save lives, the following must happen:

  • A ceasefire now and a lifting of the blockade.
  • Safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid across Gaza.
  • Restoration of essential services, including health, nutrition, water, and sanitation.
  • Resumption of commercial flows to stabilise markets and lower food prices.

It is vital to understand that food alone is not enough. Malnourished children need specialist treatments, medical supervision, clean water, and time to recover. Even those who have responded well to treatment remain vulnerable without ongoing support.

UNICEF remains committed and ready to act. With safe access, we can reach every child who needs help – but we need support from people like you. 

A child carries water containers back to his tent after filling them from tanks of safe water brought by UNICEF trucks. A multifaceted approach to combating famine is needed, including providing safe water supplies.

 

Can you help children in Gaza? 

Supporting UNICEF today means you can help children across Gaza. By giving a gift, particularly a monthly gift, you allow us to work fast to save lives and run long-term programmes that keep vulnerable children safe and healthy despite the multiple threats they face. 

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