We must prevent starvation in Gaza
We cannot ignore the plight of starving children in the Gaza Strip of Palestine. America must lead efforts to get a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. It’s the only way to save Gaza from famine.
“No one is suffering more in this war than those who have yet to utter their first word. … Imagine watching your baby perish in front of your eyes, simply because you cannot get her the food she needs?” pleads Hiba Tibi, country director for CARE in West Bank and Gaza.
The UN World Food Program warns “that 1.1 million people in Gaza — half of the population — have completely exhausted their food supplies and coping capacities and are struggling with catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) and starvation.”
Food aid cannot reach everyone in need because of the conflict, especially in northern Gaza.
“People in Gaza are starving to death right now. The speed at which this manmade hunger and malnutrition crisis has ripped through Gaza is terrifying,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
Children in Gaza are dying from malnutrition. With each passing day food shortages worsen and people resort to eating weeds to try and survive.
Xavier Joubert of Save the Children says, “If a famine is declared, it will already be too late for too many people — children are famine’s first victims and are already dying in Gaza because of malnutrition. Every minute counts for them.”
The only way food can reach everyone is through a humanitarian ceasefire. Without a cease-fire, starvation and famine in Gaza is inevitable.
Everyone can help by supporting the relief agencies in Gaza, including WFP, UNICEF, CARE, Save the Children, Mercy Corps, Catholic Relief Services and others.
Relief agencies are under enormous stress as wars and climate change have caused a growing number of large humanitarian emergencies. In Gaza, needs have dramatically increased as hunger has worsened very quickly because of the war. The same is true in war-torn Sudan and other nations. Funding needs are high.
But humanitarian agencies just don’t have enough resources to keep up. WFP has even been forced to reduce rations in some countries. WFP had to do this in Gaza before the war started. We can’t have that happen again.
Right now the humanitarian relief agencies need support both in terms of funding and advocacy. They need a cease-fire in Gaza and other war zones to carry out their relief missions. They also need funding so they have food to distribute to the millions who desperately need it.
You can also write to President Biden encouraging him to continue diplomatic efforts to get a cease-fire in Gaza. It’s our tradition to stop famine going back to the days of the American Relief Administration, which fed Europe after World War I. Americans united to save millions from starvation in the war-torn countries after World War II as well.
Today, a humanitarian cease-fire is the best hope for Palestine and Israel. A cease-fire would allow humanitarian aid for everyone in need. A cease-fire would allow the safe release of all Israeli hostages.
More fighting will do nothing to build peace between Israel and Palestine. War will simply lead to more war and continue the endless cycle of violence and desperation.
Israel and Palestine can build peace only through non-violence and humanitarianism. There can be no peace built upon starvation and desperation, which is occurring in Gaza now. There must be a cease-fire in Gaza to prevent famine and give people food and hope.