United Nations, Feb 28.- Nearly 2.2 million people in Gaza are in a food crisis or worse, considered the highest percentage of acute food insecurity ever recorded, the United Nations Agriculture and Food Organization said (FAO).
During a session of the UN Security Council, the Deputy Director General of the FAO, Maurizio Martina, assured that the number of Gazans in phase three or higher of the hunger classification represents a record for the organization.
About half of the population is in an emergency situation (phase four) and at least one in four households suffers from catastrophic or famine-like conditions (phase five), the representative added.
The serious restrictions on fuel shipments cause a paralysis in the operation of water infrastructure and desalination plants, the production and delivery of basic food products and the supply of electricity, he warned.
On the other hand, the shortage of drinking water persists in the enclave, where around 97% of the vital liquid below the earth's surface is not suitable for human consumption.
The FAO deputy director acknowledged that bakeries' ability to produce bread has been severely hampered while 46.2 percent of all cropland is damaged.
For his part, the deputy executive director of the World Food Program (WFP), Carl Skau, warned of an imminent famine north of the enclave.
The official urged immediate action to allow an increase in the volume of food and other humanitarian supplies arriving in that region, where the WFP stopped its operations due to lack of conditions.
UN agencies asked to guarantee respect for international humanitarian law, resume entry of essential food, electricity, fuel and cooking gas, including by the private sector.
In addition, they urged the protection and restoration of vital infrastructure and services, the lifting of restrictions on fishing activity, access to farmland and the entry of agricultural products.
The call included urgently facilitating greater humanitarian access to and within Gaza, including the opening of additional border crossings, and concerted efforts to end this conflict completely. (Text and photo: PL)
