Famine Confirmed in Gaza Governorate: Action Against Hunger Demands Uninterrupted and Increased Access to Scale Up Life-Saving Aid

• Action Against Hunger nutrition teams in Gaza are witnessing the highest number of cases of severe acute malnutrition since the beginning of its nutrition programming in 2024, both in pregnant and lactating women and in children under the age of 5.

Madrid/Jerusalem, 22 August 2025. The Famine Review Committee (FRC) has officially confirmed famine (IPC Phase 5) in Gaza Governorate, marking it one of the few times such a classification has ever been declared globally. The crisis is projected to expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September. Over half million people in the Gaza Strip are already facing catastrophic conditions characterized by starvation, destitution, and death.

Action Against Hunger warns that the situation is deteriorating rapidly. “Our nutrition teams are witnessing the highest number of severe acute malnutrition cases since we began nutrition operations in Gaza in 2024,” said an Action Against Hunger staff member in Deir al-Balah. “Pregnant and breastfeeding women face double the risk: exhausted bodies, harsh hunger, and a severe lack of essential health and nutrition support.”

In July and August alone, Action Against Hunger nutrition teams have received more than 400 cases of malnourished children, 20% of them severe. Data from the UN and other INGOs in Gaza reveals that the total number of new malnutrition cases recorded monthly are in the thousands, with hundreds of severe cases seen daily. In May alone, 5,119 children under five were admitted for acute malnutrition treatment—a 148% increase from February. Admissions surged to 6,500 in June, the highest since October 2023, with over 5,000 more in just the first two weeks of July. The FRC report projects that by June 2026, at least 132,000 children under five will be at risk of death from acute malnutrition, including over 41,000 severe cases.

"It is important to note that many families do not have the resources to arrive at humanitarian nutrition sites to receive treatment. Also, there is a lack of nutrition supplies, hindering the capacity to treat such cases in a timely manner. We also noted that many breastfeeding and pregnant mothers suffer from malnutrition themselves”, said an Action Against Hunger staff member in Gaza.

“As a result of nearly two years of continued forcible transfer, airstrikes, and continuous disrupted and little access to food and water, Gaza’s entire population has been compelled to rely on humanitarian food aid as a primary source of sustenance, with an increasing number of extreme vulnerability under the mothers and their children that are undernourished”, said Vincent Stehli, Action Against Hunger Head of Operations. “The current entry of aid is alarmingly insufficient in the face of widespread and rapidly increasing famine”, added Vincent Stehli.

Despite these alarming figures, humanitarian access remains severely restricted. Action Against Hunger, as other INGOs, is facing administrative barriers in importing goods. “There is no end to this crisis,” said an Action Against Hunger breastfeeding counsellor. “The acute shortage in aid and assistance is increasingly alarming. With every consultation, my worst fears get confirmed.”

Local food production is nearly impossible, with only 1.5% of Gaza’s cropland accessible and undamaged. Inflation has driven staple food prices up by 4,000% compared to pre-October 2023, making basic goods unaffordable. Shelter conditions are dire, and further displacement from Gaza City threatens to overwhelm the humanitarian system.

Action Against Hunger urgently calls for a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, large-scale, and sustained access for humanitarian actors. Only through coordinated and unhindered efforts can we deliver the necessary response to avert further loss of life in Gaza. “An immediate ceasefire and end to the conflict is critical to enabling an unimpeded, large-scale humanitarian response that can save lives. Famine must be stopped now”, concluded Vincent Stehli.

 When was the last time you had a proper meal?

Testimonies from Gaza:

“I have a family of seven. The last time we had a real full meal was two weeks ago. It was fish”, Palestinian in Deir al Balah.

“The last time we had a real meal was during the temporary ceasefire. But nowadays we only eat pasta or bread”, Palestinian in Deir al Balah.

“I have two kids and a wife. The last time we had a meal, which was an eggplant salad, was fifteen days ago. It was a blessing. I got eggplant and tahini sauce, and me and my wife made it for all four of us”, Palestinian in Deir al Balah.