PESCARA G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting “Special Session on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Middle East” Statement

His Excellency the Vice Prime Minister and

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy,

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I commented to Minister Tajani that it was high time to convene this special session because as from 14.00 hours this afternoon the UN Security Council briefings on Gaza and Sudan are taking place and still ongoing.

The situation in the Middle East is catastrophic.

The latest data shows that 1.84 million people across the Gaza Strip are experiencing extremely critical levels of acute food insecurity.

Additionally, projections indicate that as much 16 percent (about 350 000 persons) of the entire population of Gaza could be in IPC 5 (“Catastrophe” phase), between November 2024 and April 2025.

People in IPC Phase 5 are experiencing an extreme lack of food and face starvation resulting in destitution, extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition and death.

The most recent geospatial analysis indicates that:

• agricultural infrastructure has been decimated, including damage to over half of the wells and over 44 percent of greenhouses;
• 95 percent of cattle have died, and nearly all calves have been slaughtered;
• nearly 70 percent of croplands have been destroyed – which makes up 42 percent of the area of Gaza; and
• over 70 percent of olive trees and orchards have been burned to the ground.

When people cannot produce foods and cannot consistently access foods, they will suffer increasingly extreme levels of acute malnutrition, and the risk of death is high.

Today, acute malnutrition in the Gaza Strip has risen ten times higher than before the escalation of hostilities.

We are currently working to protect 30 000 sheep and goats — representing about 40 percent of the total estimated to be alive.

By nourishing these animals, enough milk can be provided for all of Gaza’s children.

FAO has distributed fodder to over 4 400 livestock holders and veterinary kits to about 2 400 herder families – all this supported by the Food for Gaza initiative support by the Government of Italy.

FAO stands ready to deliver even more essential supplies – additional fodder, greenhouse plastic sheets, water tanks, vaccines, energy blocks, and animal shelters.

If we want to save lives and prevent famine, we urgently need a humanitarian ceasefire and unlimited, safe access to people who are in need and in danger.

FAO’s priority now is to:

• reactivate local food production;
• restore the availability of highly nutritious food in Gaza, especially in view of the upcoming winter season;
• prevent the agricultural sector’s total collapse;
• preserve remaining agricultural livelihoods; and
• curb acute hunger and malnutrition, especially among children.

Across the West Bank, too, agrifood systems are under threat.

The last round of farmer surveys there indicate that about 63 percent of crop producers and 72 percent of livestock producers reported being unable to access their fields or pasture.

A functioning local agrifood system is crucial to reduce the concerning levels of hunger and malnutrition.

As the conflict spills over borders, so does its impact.

FAO is already observing these effects as the conflict hits some of Lebanon’s most productive agricultural areas.

Violence is forcing people to flee and abandon their lands.

Since farmers cannot access their lands, it will impact the vital olive and grape harvest.

This shortage of labour is also likely to impact the planting season for wheat, barley, and vegetables for coming seasons.

It can also prevent sowing for the 2025 winter crops.

Impacts across the region will be felt far into the future.

FAO is already delivering critical support, and we are prepared to scale up critical emergency agriculture aid and assistance, together with our partners.

FAO will continue supporting farmers, as soon as the situation allows, and contribute to rebuilding agrifood infrastructure and economies.

But we cannot act without access.

Peace is a prerequisite for food security, and the right to food is a basic human right.

We count on your continued support and leadership, especially of the G7 members

Thank you.