Famine playing out in Gaza under Israel’s offensive, IPC says – NBC News

 

Report on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report details the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with a specific focus on the profound regression of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis, based on recent data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian agencies, indicates a critical failure to uphold fundamental global commitments.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The region is on the brink of famine, with a significant portion of the population experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger and malnutrition.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Malnutrition has reached famine thresholds, leading to a rapid increase in hunger-related deaths, particularly among children under five.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The ongoing conflict and severe restrictions on humanitarian access are the primary drivers of the crisis, undermining peace and justice and impeding the function of essential institutions.

Analysis of SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The situation in Gaza represents a catastrophic failure to achieve SDG 2. The population is facing extreme food insecurity, with conditions deteriorating to levels consistent with famine.

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Findings

• From May to July, the proportion of households experiencing extreme hunger doubled.
• The food consumption threshold for famine has been surpassed in most areas of Gaza.
• The entire territory is classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), with at least 22% of the population in Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine).
• In Gaza City, malnutrition levels have reached the famine threshold.

Humanitarian Observations

Field reports from humanitarian organizations corroborate the IPC’s data. Beckie Ryan, a response director for CARE, confirmed that the deteriorating situation has been observable for a significant time, noting that even humanitarian staff were visibly losing weight.

Impact on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The severe food crisis has had a devastating and direct impact on SDG 3, leading to widespread malnutrition and a surge in preventable deaths.

Malnutrition Statistics

• Between April and mid-July, over 20,000 children were admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition.
• Of these, more than 3,000 were classified as severely malnourished.

Mortality Rates

• Hospitals report a “rapid increase in hunger-related deaths of children under five.”
• The Gaza health ministry reported that nearly 150 people, including at least 88 children, have died from malnutrition since the war began.
• The total death toll since the conflict’s escalation has surpassed 60,034.

Challenges to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The humanitarian catastrophe is a direct consequence of the failure to achieve SDG 16. The ongoing conflict and related policies have dismantled the foundations of peace, justice, and institutional stability.

Conflict and Aid Distribution

• The crisis is rooted in the military offensive that began following the October 7, 2023, attacks.
• Israel has defended aid restrictions by arguing that Hamas diverts aid, a claim not substantiated by an internal U.S. government analysis.
• The severe limitations on access to the enclave make data gathering and humanitarian response exceptionally difficult, undermining the principle of impartial aid.

Accountability and International Law

• Israel faces mounting allegations of genocide, which are the subject of an ongoing case at the International Court of Justice.
• Prominent Israeli rights groups, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, have concluded that the actions constitute genocide.

Methodological Considerations and Famine Declaration Criteria

The formal declaration of famine is based on a rigorous, evidence-based framework, though data collection in Gaza remains a significant challenge.

IPC Famine Assessment Framework

A famine (IPC Phase 5) is declared when a population meets three specific criteria:

1. At least 20% of households face an extreme lack of food.
2. At least 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition.
3. The daily death rate exceeds two adults or four children per 10,000 people due to hunger or its complications.

Data Collection Challenges

The IPC noted in its latest report that while Gaza faces a “critical risk of Famine,” a formal declaration is complicated by the difficulty in gathering verifiable data due to severe access restrictions imposed on the enclave.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several critical issues that directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The core theme of the article is the severe food crisis in Gaza, including extreme hunger, malnutrition, and the risk of famine. This directly relates to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring food security.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article details the health consequences of the crisis, such as a rapid increase in hunger-related deaths, particularly among children, and the high number of children admitted for malnutrition treatment. This connects to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The context of the crisis is an ongoing war, which is a fundamental failure of peace. The article mentions the total death toll from the conflict and the legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice, which relate to the goals of reducing violence and promoting justice.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets are relevant:

1. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.” The article explicitly states that the “proportion of households experiencing extreme hunger in Gaza has doubled” and that the “food consumption threshold for famine already passed in most areas,” indicating a complete failure to meet this target for the population of Gaza.
   • Target 2.2: “By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition…” The article provides direct evidence of the failure to meet this target by reporting that “Malnutrition has been rising rapidly,” with “over 20,000 children had been admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition” and “more than 3,000 severely malnourished.”
2. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The article highlights a severe regression on this target, noting a “rapid increase in hunger-related deaths of children under five” and that “at least 88 children” had died from malnutrition.
3. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article directly contradicts this target by stating that the “total number of people killed since the war began had reached 60,034,” indicating an extreme level of violence and related deaths.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The mention of an “ongoing case brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice” regarding allegations of genocide is a direct invocation of international legal mechanisms intended to uphold the rule of law.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several specific data points and metrics that serve as indicators for the identified targets.

• For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
  • Indicator 2.1.2 (Prevalence of severe food insecurity): The article provides several metrics used by the IPC that align with this indicator. It states that “at least 20% of households have an extreme lack of food” and that “at least 22% of the population was considered to be in Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine).”
  • Indicator 2.2.2 (Prevalence of malnutrition [wasting]): The article gives precise figures that function as this indicator, such as “30% of children are suffering from acute malnutrition,” “over 20,000 children had been admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition,” and “more than 3,000 severely malnourished.”
• For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
  • Indicator 3.2.1 (Under-5 mortality rate): While not providing a rate, the article gives raw numbers that contribute to this indicator, including the “rapid increase in hunger-related deaths of children under five” and the specific IPC threshold of “four children per every 10,000 people… dying on a daily basis.” It also states that “at least 88 children” have died from malnutrition.
• For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
  • Indicator 16.1.2 (Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population): The article provides the absolute number for this indicator, stating the “total number of people killed since the war began had reached 60,034.” This figure is a direct measure of conflict-related deaths.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition.	– Proportion of households experiencing extreme hunger has doubled. – At least 22% of the population is in Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine). – At least 20% of households have an extreme lack of food. – 30% of children suffering from acute malnutrition. – Over 20,000 children admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.	– “Rapid increase in hunger-related deaths of children under five.” – At least 88 children have died from malnutrition. – IPC Famine threshold: 4 children per 10,000 people dying daily.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates. 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.	– Total death toll from the war reached 60,034. – Ongoing case brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice.

Source: nbcnews.com