Gaza City – In a region already grappling with severe humanitarian challenges, a concerning development has emerged as a consequence of recent hostilities. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that approximately 20% of bakeries it supports in Gaza have fallen victim to airstrikes. These bakeries play a vital role in providing affordable bread, a staple for the population. As a result, an impending “catastrophic” food shortage looms large, exacerbated by a severe fuel shortage that hampers the transport of flour to the remaining bakeries.
Dire Bread Scarcity: Bread has become a precious commodity in Gaza, with long queues forming at the remaining bakeries. The situation is exacerbated by the overcrowded shelters, which are now accommodating over 600,000 people, three times their intended capacity.
The World Food Programme’s Struggles: The World Food Programme (WFP) also faces significant challenges in its efforts to ensure a steady supply of bread to the population. Only two of the bakeries contracted by WFP have enough fuel to maintain operations, and those that are operational are working at six times their usual capacity. As a result, the number of people receiving bread has dropped from an average of 200,000 to 150,000 per day.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens: The situation in Gaza has reached a critical juncture, with essential resources such as food and water rapidly depleting. Overcrowded shelters, limited electricity due to fuel shortages, and collapsing health services further compound the humanitarian crisis.
Challenges in Supply Chain: The WFP also revealed that approximately 10% of shops it collaborates with have run out of food, while others have only five days’ worth of supplies left. Damaged roads and the lack of fuel are hampering restocking efforts.
Calls for Urgent Action: The Hamas-run government in Gaza has identified 10 bakeries across the region that have been damaged in airstrikes, underlining the pressing need for assistance. The WFP Chief, Cindy McCain, has appealed for fuel deliveries into Gaza to sustain bakery operations. Currently, nine trucks have entered Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah border crossing, but 141 more are waiting. The WFP asserts that 40 trucks per day are required to meet basic needs.
The crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, necessitating swift international action to mitigate the dire consequences of food and fuel shortages.
*Note: This news report is based on information available as of October 28, 2023.*
