A quarter of Gaza's population one step away from famine: UN official warns
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Aid trucks are being shot at and looted with at least a quarter of Gaza's population one step away from starvation, UN officials said on Tuesday.
The situation is especially acute in the north, where humanitarian supplies are scarce and vast swathes of the area lie in ruins after Israel's military offensive.
UN humanitarian coordinator Ramesh Ramasingham told the UN Security Council on Tuesday there is "every possibility" the situation could deteriorate further.
Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program (WFP), said Gaza is experiencing “the worst level of child malnutrition anywhere in the world.”
“If nothing changes, a famine is imminent,” he warned.
In the latest example of Gaza's breakdown of civil order, Skau said the WFP resumed deliveries to north Gaza for the first time in three weeks on 18 February.
He said the UN organisation hopes to send 10 trucks a day for seven days to address immediate food needs and reassure people sufficient supplies will be arriving.
But on both 18 and 19 February, Skau added, WFP convoys faced delays at checkpoints, gunfire and other violence, while food was looted.