Though food security in Gaza has improved since the ceasefire declared in October, pushing back famine conditions, but the situation remains critical with more than three-quarters of the population still facing acute hunger and malnutrition, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned.

“Famine has been pushed back. Far more people are able to access the food they need to survive,” he told reporters at UN Headquarters, in New York.

He added, however, that 1.6 million people in Gaza – more than 75 per cent of the population – “are projected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks.”

According to the latest findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), through mid-April 2026, around 571,000 people will remain in emergency conditions, while approximately 1,900 people are expected to continue facing catastrophe-level hunger. Under a worst-case scenario – including renewed hostilities or a halt in humanitarian and commercial inflows – the entire Gaza Strip could again face famine.

Malnutrition remains a major concern, particularly among children and pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

Nearly 101,000 children aged six to 59 months are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition through mid-October 2026, including more than 31,000 severe cases. An estimated 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are also projected to require treatment.

Health services, water and sanitation systems, housing and livelihoods remain badly damaged, leaving families vulnerable – particularly during winter.

“Families are enduring the unendurable,” Guterres said, describing children sleeping in flooded tents and buildings collapsing under heavy rain and wind.

He said humanitarian teams are preparing more than 1.5 million hot meals daily, reopening nutrition centres and restoring water and health services, but warned that needs continue to grow faster than aid delivery.

“We need a truly durable ceasefire,” he said, calling for more crossings into Gaza, fewer restrictions on critical supplies, safe routes within the Strip, sustained funding and unimpeded humanitarian access.