Higgins Calls for EU Action on Gaza Famine
Famine Declared in Gaza: A Humanitarian crisis Unfolds
Table of Contents
Published August 22,2025
The Scale of the Crisis
On August 22,2025,experts officially declared a famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas,nearly two years into the ongoing conflict. This grim milestone signifies a catastrophic failure of humanitarian aid and access, leaving hundreds of thousands facing starvation. The Gaza Strip, a narrow 25-mile stretch of land bordering Israel and Egypt, is now witnessing a level of food insecurity not seen in decades.
Defining Famine: The IPC and its Metrics
The declaration of famine isn’t arbitrary. It’s based on rigorous analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative. According to RTE.ie, the IPC uses a standardized scale to assess food security, with famine being the most severe phase (Phase 5). This phase is reached when at least 20% of the population faces extreme food insecurity, more than 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition, and the death rate exceeds two per 10,000 people per day.
The Human Cost: Children at Risk
The impact of the famine is particularly devastating for children. The Irish Times reports that children are increasingly sliding towards starvation as emergency treatments dwindle.Malnutrition weakens immune systems, making children more vulnerable to disease and increasing mortality rates. The long-term consequences of malnutrition on child advancement are also severe and irreversible.
A ‘Failure of Humanity’ and Calls for Action
The United Nations Secretary-General has described the famine as a “failure of humanity,” according to the BBC. President Michael D.Higgins has echoed these sentiments, calling for an immediate and robust response from the european Union. The Journal reports that he emphasized the urgent need for action to alleviate the suffering of the people of gaza.