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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is taking decisive action to address the pressing issue of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza by delivering 150 tonnes of animal fodder to 2,450 livestock-keeping households in the region. This initiative aims to safeguard surviving animals and support local production of essential, nutritious foods such as milk, dairy, eggs, and meat, amidst the looming threat of famine.
This delivery marks the first time much-needed animal fodder has entered the Gaza Strip since the escalation of hostilities, which has severely disrupted agrifood value chains, exacerbating acute food insecurity. Famine conditions are now emerging, particularly in the north of the region.
Prior to the conflict, Gaza’s agriculture sector played a vital role in the local economy, ensuring near self-sufficiency in key food items such as eggs, milk, poultry, red meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits. However, the recent hostilities have resulted in the loss of approximately 55 percent of meat and dairy-producing livestock in Gaza, making it imperative to address the scarcity of animal fodder to prevent further losses.
Ciro Fiorillo, Head of FAO Office for West Bank and Gaza Strip, emphasized the critical importance of ensuring fodder availability to support the survival and reproduction of livestock, thereby providing essential nutrition and fresh food even during conflicts.
FAO aims to deliver a total of 1,500 tonnes of fodder initially, sufficient to provide milk for all children under 10 years old in Gaza for approximately 50 days, meeting around 20 percent of the WHO recommended minimum daily caloric intake.
Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, stressed the urgency of restarting local food production to prevent famine and extreme malnutrition. However, logistical hurdles, including obtaining entry permits, remain significant barriers to effectively delivering essential aid to affected areas.
Elwaer reiterated FAO’s commitment to expanding assistance in collaboration with partners and donors to deliver crucial agricultural aid, restore availability of highly nutritious food, prevent the collapse of the agricultural sector, preserve livelihoods, and address acute hunger and malnutrition.
