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Action Against Hunger increases aid to Gaza farmers in the face of massive damage to farmland
In Gaza, especially after nine months of conflict, blockade and starvation, farmers are critical to the food security of the population. To mitigate the impact of the massive displacement, which has affected the entire population of Gaza (2.1 million), Action Against Hunger has intensified its support to local farmers through activities such as food distribution, the promotion of local agriculture and the implementation of training programs to improve the productive capacities of families who are still able to farm.
“Gaza’s agricultural sector has faced immense disruptions in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian crisis, protracted conflicts in the Gaza Strip and climate change“, explains a Food Security expert from Action Against Hunger in Gaza, “however, since October 7, the situation has worsened to an unprecedented deterioration.“
The immediate support being provided by Action Against Hunger prioritizes several key areas:
1) emergency supplies such as seeds, fertilizers and agricultural tools to resume farming activities; 2) repair and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure such as greenhouses, irrigation systems and water resources; 3) technical support and training on safe agricultural practices in the midst of conflict-induced contamination; this is necessary to ensure the production of safe agricultural products and the safety of farmers.
Action Against Hunger teams are focusing on renewable energy installations, water conservation and smart agricultural technologies to build a resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding the current and any future crises.
“Our activities focused on food security in Gaza have two main objectives: to provide food to ensure a balanced diet for the population and to support the recovery of the agricultural sector to restore livelihoods and dignity,” says Giulia Pizzicannella, food security expert in Action Against Hunger’s emergency team.
The current crisis is putting thousands of lives at risk: communities are facing severe difficulties in accessing basic foodstuffs due to the lack of guarantees in the delivery of supplies and constant disruptions in access to local markets, resulting in an ever-increasing dependency on humanitarian aid. The destructive invasion of Rafah in early May only compounded the effects of the conflict, further dismantling much of the local market and making access to basic commodities almost impossible.
Current state of farmers and farmland in Gaza
Most of the remaining farmers are unable to access their land and, those who can, find it damaged or destroyed. Approximately 41% of Gaza’s territory consists of agricultural land and, according to satellite imagery taken between May 2017 and 2024 analyzed by the UN, more than half (57%) of Gaza’s crop fields and arable land have suffered deterioration, as evidenced by a significant decrease in density and phytosanitary conditions. Of this damaged land, approximately 61% was orchards, 19% vegetables and 20% cereals.
Satellite imagery indicates that the passage of heavy vehicles, shelling and other conflict-related aggression have damaged not only the land, but also the agricultural infrastructure in the Gaza Strip: Nearly 33% of greenhouses have been damaged, more than 46% of wells, nearly 65% of solar panels and more than 2,300 agricultural infrastructures have been totally or partially destroyed. The destruction of civilian infrastructure, including those necessary for food production and distribution, such as farms, markets, water supply systems, mills, and food processing and storage sites, constitutes a direct violation of international humanitarian law, including UN Security Council Resolution 2417, which condemns starvation and denial of humanitarian access as weapons of war.
Even if hostilities were to cease today, the damage caused to agricultural land will have long-term negative consequences for food production, due to soil contamination and unexploded ordnance. According to UN experts, clearing Gaza of unexploded bombs and their threat to civilian lives could take 14 years.
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Local markets and food prices
Massive population displacements have also had a devastating impact on agricultural production and have led to a significant increase in food prices. Many farmers lost access to land they have tended for decades, losing not only their livelihood but also a piece of history. Despite these adversities, some farmers continue to farm, maintaining limited production.
“The entry of agricultural tools, inputs and materials into Gaza is crucial to preserve the continuity and resilience of Gaza’s agricultural sector. After nearly nine months of closure, local markets are experiencing a gradual depletion of essential supplies, such as nylon sheeting used for greenhouses, which is now being used to make tents. This change, coupled with limited humanitarian aid, has put immense pressure on local agricultural activities to maintain food security,” adds the Action Against Hunger food security expert in Gaza.
According to the alarming analysis published at the end of June by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the entire population of the Gaza Strip is highly food insecure and at risk of famine: Gazan families continue to face totally inadequate access to nutritious food.
The future of agriculture on the Strip
Even if a ceasefire is achieved, restoring pre-conflict agricultural production will be a long and complex process. Farmers will need ongoing support to rehabilitate their land and rebuild their livelihoods. This support must be comprehensive, addressing not only agricultural needs, but also housing, health and psychological well-being.
How Action Against Hunger works with local farmers
Action Against Hunger implements several crucial interventions to support local farmers, such as the rehabilitation of greenhouses and agricultural land, overcoming challenges such as the lack of essential inputs in the local market. To do this, staff first seek suppliers to ensure access to seeds and other essential inputs, such as fertilizers and insecticides. This effort is vital to ensure that farmers can once again grow staples of the Palestinian diet, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and eggplants.
The organization’s relationship with local farmers, forged over the twenty years that Action Against Hunger has been working in the occupied Palestinian territories, has been instrumental in understanding the needs and providing the necessary support. The damage, destruction and lack of access to land, as well as the severe lack of fuel and electricity, in addition to water contamination, show just a glimpse of the challenges facing Gaza’s farmers at this time. Even before the war, due to the decades-long blockade of the Gaza Strip, access to essential agricultural inputs, fuel, electricity and drinking water was not guaranteed. But now it is more difficult than ever to secure fuel supplies and explore alternatives such as solar energy for irrigation.
In the face of countless challenges, Action Against Hunger staff in Gaza continue to support local farming populations, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to the recovery of the agricultural sector in Gaza. These measures are not only essential to mitigate the current food crisis, but also to maintain hope and dignity for a population that has endured too many years of conflict and trauma, now more than ever.
Occupied Palestinian Territory
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