{"id":301983,"date":"2024-10-03T14:21:04","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T18:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=301983"},"modified":"2024-10-03T14:26:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T18:26:44","slug":"fao-press-release-03oct24","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/fao-press-release-03oct24\/","title":{"rendered":"67.6% of Gaza\u2019s cropland has been damaged: Geospatial data shows intensifying damage to Gaza\u2019s agricultural infrastructure – FAO & UNOSAT"},"content":{"rendered":"

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03 October 2024<\/p>\n

New FAO and UNOSAT assessment highlights the impact of conflict on Gaza\u2019s agricultural infrastructure<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Damaged greenhouses in Khan Younis, Gaza. \u00a9FAO\/ Yousef Alrozzi<\/p><\/div>\n

Rome<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The\u00a0latest assessment<\/a><\/em>\u00a0using satellite data produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT<\/a><\/em>) shows escalating damage to farmland and agricultural infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, further exacerbating the humanitarian and hunger crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n

As of 1 September 2024, 67.6 percent of Gaza\u2019s cropland \u2013 or 10 183 hectares (ha) \u2013 has been damaged. This is up from 57.3 percent (8 660 ha) in May and 42.6 percent (6 694 ha) in February 2024. More specifically, 71.2 percent of orchards and other trees, 67.1 percent of field crops, and 58.5 percent of vegetables have been damaged.<\/p>\n

The satellite images indicate that heavy vehicle tracks, razing, shelling, and other conflict-related pressures have also significantly damaged Gaza\u2019s agricultural infrastructure, with a total of 1 188 agricultural wells (52.5 percent) and 577.9 ha of greenhouses (44.3 percent) damaged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis satellite analysis provides critical insights to support humanitarian efforts as the conflict continues to impact Gaza’s agricultural sector,” UNITAR Executive Director Nikhil Seth said. UNOSAT is a specialized program within UNITAR, the\u00a0United Nations Institute for Training and Research<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe extent of the damages on agricultural land in the Gaza Strip has reached unprecedented levels. This raises serious concerns about the potential for food production now and in the future, because food aid alone cannot meet the daily needs of Gaza\u2019s people. This damage to agricultural land compounds the imminent risk of famine in the whole Gaza Strip,\u201d FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol said.<\/p>\n

More than 2 million Gazans are still in urgent need of food and livelihood assistance as humanitarian access remains restricted. The latest assessment, covering the period 7 October 2023 \u2013 1 September 2024, reinforces concerns about\u00a0the risk of famine<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Since the conflict started, FAO and UNOSAT have provided regular agricultural assessment updates, combining field and satellite data to evaluate various agricultural indicators, such as cropland area extent.<\/p>\n

Assessment details of note<\/strong><\/h3>\n