Statement by ministers Joly and Hussen on persistent risk of famine in Gaza

November 14, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, today issued the following statement:

“Canada continues to be deeply concerned by the catastrophic humanitarian conditions that persist across the Gaza Strip and the life-threatening levels of acute malnutrition. The independent Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification [IPC] has issued a warning that famine is likely and imminent in certain areas. This alert comes at a time when the IPC’s latest report indicated that in Gaza, over 133,000 people—the most in any region of the world—continue to face catastrophic food insecurity, the IPC’s most severe classification. This means that civilians— men, women and children—are dying because of the lack of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza. Humanitarian agencies have undertaken enormous efforts and humanitarian workers put their lives on the line, but they continue to face preventable impediments, and not enough aid is reaching those who rely on it for survival.

“The Israeli Government must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and to immediately provide a significant and sustained increase of humanitarian assistance for the civilian population. There is an absolute imperative to act now. Canada continues to reiterate the urgent need for an immediate and sustained ceasefire and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

“Canada remains committed to helping Palestinians receive the life-saving assistance they desperately need, and we are working with the World Food Programme, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Canadian NGO partners to address hunger and acute malnutrition in Gaza.”