“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8–9
Canadian Foodgrains Bank is devastated by the famine in Gaza Governorate and projection of famine in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, which was officially declared on August 22.
Famine is declared when hunger reaches catastrophic levels. Over half a million people in Gaza are already experiencing the horrific reality of starvation and destitution, with another 1.07 million facing emergency levels of hunger. At least 132,000 children under the age of five are experiencing acute malnutrition and over 100 children to date have lost their lives due to starvation.
How many more families must bury their children before the silence breaks?
This humanitarian emergency is not due to any natural disaster. It is a human-made catastrophe that has been allowed to happen. It was preventable and predictable.
“To reach the point of famine means every warning has been ignored and every humanitarian red flag has been passed,” says Andy Harrington, Foodgrains Bank executive director. “The suffering of two million Gazans is both unconscionable and avoidable. It is the result of deliberate obstruction, a failure of global responsibility, and a collapse of compassion for our fellow human beings.”
Foodgrains Bank is supporting two local partners in Gaza through our member agencies Development and Peace–Caritas Canada and Mennonite Central Committee Canada. These partners are ready and willing to respond. But since March, they have been unable to deliver life-saving assistance due to systematic restrictions and denial of access by Israeli authorities.
“In any crisis zone, international humanitarian principles demand that aid be allowed to reach those in need,” says Harrington. “People are dying of hunger while food assistance has sat – for months – mere kilometres away. Israel’s systematic denial of access for humanitarian actors to provide lifesaving support is causing untold suffering.”
While partners are exploring the possibility of local food procurement within Gaza, the only way to meet the scale of the need in Gaza is to open the borders to allow the entry of food and other critical humanitarian supplies. This famine can end. There is enough food waiting to feed the entire population for three months, ready to be delivered, yet deliberately obstructed time and time again.
We urgently call on all decision-makers to uphold international humanitarian law, lift all restrictions to aid delivery, and secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, including the release of all hostages.
Foodgrains Bank remains steadfast in our mission to end global hunger. We will continue to advocate for justice, compassion, and the dignity of all people in all places.
