Progress against famine in Gaza persists as extremely fragile— WHO head
Following the latest findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which concluded that famine classifications no longer apply anywhere in Gaza, the WHO chief stressed that the situation remains unstable. He warned that underlying hardships continue to threaten food security and public health.
"This welcome progress remains extremely fragile as the population continues to struggle with massive infrastructure destruction, collapsed livelihoods and local food production, and restrictions to humanitarian operations," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on US social media platform X.
He highlighted that the humanitarian toll remains severe, noting that projections show more than 100,000 children, along with 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, are expected to face acute malnutrition through April of next year. He also pointed out that only half of Gaza’s health facilities are even partially operational, with many suffering from shortages of vital medicines, equipment, and basic supplies.
"To scale up life-saving services and expand access to care, WHO calls for the urgent and expedited approval and entry of essential medical supplies, equipment and prefabricated hospital structures," he said.
As stated by reports citing the most recent IPC analysis, the absence of famine classifications follows a ceasefire agreement reached in October. Although developments during the fragile truce — including a proposed peace initiative and increased food deliveries — have helped ease the most extreme deprivation, the IPC cautioned that overall conditions remain dire and could deteriorate again.
In a separate issue, Tedros said he was "encouraged" by reports indicating that detained Sudanese health workers in South Darfur had been released.
"It is imperative that all captive healthcare providers, and civilians, be released. At this critical time, doctors and other health workers are needed more than ever to deliver essential services to populations in need. Health should never be a target," he underscored.
According to reports, Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces freed nine medical staff who had been held in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The release represents only a small portion of those detained, with dozens of health workers reportedly still in captivity, as stated by local medical groups.
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