WHO Chief Says Progress Against Famine in Gaza "Extremely Fragile"
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the precarious nature of current conditions in a statement posted to X, the US social media platform, following the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessment showing Gaza no longer meets famine thresholds.
"This welcome progress remains extremely fragile as the population continues to struggle with massive infrastructure destruction, collapsed livelihoods and local food production, and restrictions to humanitarian operations," Tedros stated.
The WHO leader highlighted alarming projections showing over 100,000 children alongside 37,000 pregnant and nursing mothers face acute malnutrition through April 2026. Healthcare infrastructure remains severely compromised, with only half of Gaza's medical facilities operating at partial capacity while grappling with critical shortages.
"To scale up life-saving services and expand access to care, WHO calls for the urgent and expedited approval and entry of essential medical supplies, equipment and prefabricated hospital structures," he said.
The IPC's most recent analysis confirmed no Gazan regions currently qualify as experiencing famine conditions—a shift attributed to October's ceasefire agreement. However, the classification body stressed that despite tentative peace proposals and increased food deliveries helping mitigate the worst circumstances, the trajectory remains deeply concerning.
Sudan Healthcare Workers Released
Tedros separately addressed developments in Sudan, expressing cautious optimism about detained medical personnel.
"It is imperative that all captive healthcare providers, and civilians, be released. At this critical time, doctors and other health workers are needed more than ever to deliver essential services to populations in need. Health should never be a target," he underscored.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan's paramilitary organization, freed nine healthcare professionals Saturday from detention facilities in Nyala, South Darfur state's capital, according to local medical organizations. Seventy-three health workers remain in captivity.
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