Shafaqna English- The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned in its latest annual report that the humanitarian and agricultural situation in Gaza is “catastrophic,” ranking among the world’s most severe food crises in 2024–2025.
According to Shafaqna, citing Al Jazeera, the FAO stated that Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure has been almost completely destroyed, with less than 5% of farmland still cultivable. More than 80% of agricultural land has been damaged by military operations, and about 77.8% is now inaccessible to farmers.
Over 70% of Gaza’s greenhouses have been entirely demolished, while most irrigation wells have been damaged, severely restricting access to water. The FAO warned that if this situation continues, Gaza’s population will become completely dependent on humanitarian aid.
The report also notes extensive damage to the fishing sector, with restricted access to coastal waters reducing animal protein intake among residents. The FAO said that over 90% of Gaza’s population cannot meet their daily food needs, while domestic production of vegetables and grains has fallen to less than half of what it was two years ago.
The agency urged urgent international support for Gaza’s agricultural sector, including the provision of seeds, fodder, and repairs to damaged wells, as well as facilitating the entry of farming equipment and fuel through border crossings — warning that continued restrictions will further deepen the crisis.
Gaza, alongside Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan, is among the regions requiring immediate multi-sectoral response efforts, including food security, water, health, and psychosocial support. According to the FAO and its partners, around 2.2 million people in Gaza are in urgent need of food and humanitarian assistance.
The FAO cautioned that ongoing hostilities and blocked aid routes could lead to widespread famine within months unless decisive action is taken immediately.
Source: Shafaqna Persian