Kathmandu: The humanitarian and hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached alarming levels, with the United Nations describing the situation as the worst in a century. Ross Smith, Emergency Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), compared the catastrophe to historic famines in Ethiopia and Biafra, highlighting the extreme severity of conditions on the ground.

According to the Food Security Assessment Programme (IPS), hunger has reached “critical levels” across most of Gaza, with the nutritional condition in Gaza City surpassing the famine threshold for the first time. The situation is dire, and the report warns that the crisis will deteriorate further if immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access is not granted.

Women and children are bearing the brunt of the crisis. UN Women reported that mothers are risking their lives to shield their children, as many children are reportedly dying of starvation in front of them.

While some nations have attempted to provide aid through air drops, UN officials insist that ground-based relief delivery remains the safest and most effective method for distributing essential supplies.

The United Nations has made a renewed call for all parties to urgently open humanitarian corridors, implement a permanent ceasefire, and take all necessary measures to protect the lives of millions of civilians in Gaza.