Statement: Famine in Gaza confirmed
Final wake-up call: 641,000 people at acute risk of starvation – including countless children
Bonn/Berlin, 22 August 2025. A new report released today by the IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification*) has confirmed famine in parts of the Gaza Strip. According to the report, famine (IPC Phase 5) is currently occurring in Gaza Governorate and projected to spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates by the end of September. This report describes the most severe deterioration since the IPC began analyzing acute food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza– and for the first time, famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East region.
Mathias Mogge, Secretary General of Welthungerhilfe (WHH), says:
"The official confirmation of famine in parts of the Gaza Strip confirms what humanitarian organizations have been warning about for months: 641,000 people, including countless children, are at acute risk of starvation. Only an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access can prevent further deaths.
The official confirmation of famine is a final wake-up call for the international community to act now to save lives. Without immediate humanitarian action, this tragedy will grow worse every day. Relief supplies are ready at the border, and humanitarian organizations stand ready to deliver them into the Gaza Strip at any time.
An extension of the military offensive into Gaza City would have further devastating humanitarian consequences and dramatically worsen the situation for hundreds of thousands of people."
Welthungerhilfe strongly condemns the brutal Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 in the strongest possible terms and calls for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. At the same time, it demands a lasting ceasefire, the protection of the civilian population and humanitarian aid workers, as well as safe and unhindered access to the necessary aid by the fastest possible means. In their work, Welthungerhilfe and its partners strictly adhere to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity, impartiality and independence.
*The newly released figures come from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), an international method for assessing hunger crises that is carried out jointly by aid organizations, UN and government agencies. The IPC has become the global standard for assessing food insecurity: IPC-Report
Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest private aid organizations in Germany; it is politically independent and non-denominational. With courage and determination, it is striving for a world without hunger. Since it was founded on December 14, 1962, 12,777 overseas projects in about 72 countries have been supported with 5.42 billion euros. Welthungerhilfe follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to sustainably improve their living conditions, offering everything from fast disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organizations.
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