The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has warned that a full-scale famine across the Gaza Strip is now a real and immediate threat. Starvation is already taking hold, and the health consequences are catastrophic. Without the urgent delivery of food, medical supplies, and fuel, thousands more lives are at risk.

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The IPC also reports that there is a heightened risk of disease outbreaks across the Gaza Strip, with diarrhoeal diseases already on the rise as the availability of clean water has become so scarce.  

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These reports come at a time when Gaza’s health system is almost non-existent. Reduced services in the few functioning hospitals have been further compounded by frequent evacuations, a lack of medical staff and severe fuel shortages. Dwindling health supplies and stockouts are further hindering the health system's ability to cope with mass casualties and the population's health needs. It cannot take any more.

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Aid has now begun to enter Gaza during agreed military pauses, including via airdrops, but this is nowhere near enough. The humanitarian corridors must reopen to allow food and medication, in the quantities needed, into the Gaza Strip for safe, targeted distribution.

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IHP has shipments waiting at the border to enter Gaza. They contain a range of primary healthcare medications to treat infections and diseases, and medication to manage long-term chronic health conditions. These medications are also essential to supporting the population’s health needs as malnutrition and starvation increase, and to treat opportunistic infections.  

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We continue to stand together with our partners and the international community to call for the UK to end its support for this war, to join global efforts in condemning the actions that are contributing to the blockade and deepening this humanitarian catastrophe, and to ensure safe and unhindered access to aid and essential services in Gaza.   

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