Gaza grappling with catastrophic hunger, 40 pct of population at risk of famine: UN

31 Dec 2023 • 1:35 PM MYT
Daily Express
Daily Express

Daily Express Online (Malaysia) is Sabah's top-ranked & most viewed English news site. It is also Sabah's leading & most circulated daily English newspaper.

image is not available

ISTANBUL: The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees reiterated on Saturday that Gaza is grappling with catastrophic hunger and nearly half of the population is at a risk of famine, reported Anadolu Agency.

"People are hungry and just desperate for food,” Thomas White, the director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, said on X, adding: “40 per cent of the population at risk of famine.”

“More regular supplies needed. We require safe and sustainable humanitarian access everywhere, including to the North of Gaza,” he added.

Israel has continued relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip since Oct 7, killing more than 21,000 Palestinians and injuring many more, according to local health authorities.

SPONSORED CONTENT Sabah International Convention Centre’s Big Sabah Sale a big hit Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah International Convention Centre’s (SICC) Big Sabah Sale which concluded on Sunday saw a good response with about 20,000 visitors during the three-day extravaganza. . Read more The Israeli onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60 per cent of the enclave's infrastructure damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

The head of UNRWA, Phillipe Lazzrini, said meaningful, unhindered, and unconditional humanitarian assistance, as well as commercial flow, can still reverse and prevent the looming famine.

* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.

* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.