Title: The Struggle of Gaza: A Famine in Waiting?
The situation in Gaza has been dire for years now, with the people living under constant threat of violence, poverty, and limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine. However, despite these catastrophic shortages, a famine has not yet been declared in the war-torn Palestinian enclave. This begs the question: what does it take for a famine to be officially recognized?
The system that tracks global hunger crises began in the 1980s as a response to famines in East and West Africa, according to Tim Hoffine, deputy chief of party-innovation at the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). The goal was to provide "independent, timely and evidence-based analysis" to help decision-makers prevent future famines. This led to the founding in 1985 of FEWS NET by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to contract with experts to collect and analyze data on food emergencies around the world.
In Gaza, hunger has reached "astonishing levels," as stated by the World Food Programme (WFP), an arm of the United Nations. A third of its population of over 2 million people are currently going multiple days without eating. The British Red Cross and the World Health Organization have also reported catastrophic shortages in food, water, and medicine. Despite these alarming statistics, Gaza has not yet been declared a famine.
So why is this the case? One reason could be that there are specific criteria for declaring a famine, which include a certain percentage of the population being affected by severe food shortages or malnutrition. Additionally, political and economic factors may play a role in whether an area is officially recognized as experiencing a famine.
The hesitation to label Gaza's hunger crisis as a full-blown famine has significant implications for both the people living there and international aid organizations. If Gaza were declared a famine, it would likely result in increased attention from global leaders and humanitarian groups, leading to more resources being allocated to help alleviate the suffering of its population.
From my perspective, this situation highlights the urgent need for action to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza. While there may be specific criteria that must be met before a famine can officially be declared, it is clear that the people living in Gaza are facing extreme hardship and struggle on a daily basis. It is crucial that international leaders and organizations continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support wherever possible to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by this crisis.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/07/25/g-s1-78968/what-does-it-take-for-a-famine-to-be-declared-in-gaza) #what
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