Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), recently spoke with NBC’s Kristen Welker about the dire situation in Gaza, which she described as a “full-blown famine.” The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, now in its eighth month, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite there not being an official famine declaration, McCain justified her use of the term based on firsthand accounts from WFP workers who have witnessed the severity of the situation.
McCain emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and safe access to provide aid to the starving population in Gaza. As protests in support of Palestine continue to spread throughout US college campuses, McCain stressed the importance of addressing the famine in Gaza promptly. She expressed hope for a ceasefire agreement to allow for swift and effective distribution of aid to those in need, particularly in the northern regions of Gaza.
While there have been reports of progress in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the war has persisted since December 2023. McCain urged the global community to take action and prevent further suffering, emphasizing that in this day and age, no one should go hungry when there is more than enough food to feed everyone.