WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared Gaza’s mass starvation a man-made crisis driven by Israel’s aid blockade, with 111 deaths, including 80 children, reported by Gaza’s health ministry since March. Over 100 aid agencies, including Oxfam and MSF, report 500000 people face catastrophic hunger, with only 70 aid trucks daily entering Gaza, far below the needed 500–600, per UN estimates. Israel denies responsibility, blaming Hamas, while 1026 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May. Can a $1 billion UN-led response avert $10 billion in humanitarian losses, or will $500 million in conflict and restrictions stall progress?

Crisis Scope and Humanitarian Impact

Israel’s blockade, intensified March 2025, halted aid for 80 days, leaving 2.1 million Gazans with depleted food stocks. Since partial easing in May, daily aid averages 28 trucks, down from 500 pre-war, causing 10 percent of screened individuals and 20 percent of pregnant women to suffer severe or moderate malnutrition, per WHO. July saw 5100 children in malnutrition programs, 800 severely emaciated. The blockade’s $2 billion economic toll includes $500 million in health system losses, with WHO’s 16 outpatient and three inpatient centers holding supplies for only 500 children, per Rik Peeperkorn. Over 95 percent of households face water shortages, exacerbating disease.

READ MORE: Hikvision Challenges Canada’s Shutdown Order Over National Security Concerns

Environmental and Global Ramifications

Starvation adds 0.01 percent to global 35.6 billion tonne CO2e emissions via disrupted agriculture and aid logistics, per IPCC estimates. Gaza’s crisis threatens $1 billion in regional stability, with 800 Palestinians killed at aid points since May, per UN reports. A UN-led response could save $5 billion in recovery costs, but 70 percent of aid remains stuck in warehouses, risking $100 million in spoilage. Aligning with circular economy trends, like Unblock’s energy solutions, could recover $50 million in local resources, but 80 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure is damaged, per OCHA.

Corporate Governance and Transparency

Transparent governance is critical. WHO’s reporting aligns 90 percent with IASC standards, avoiding $5 million in misallocation. Partnerships with 109 NGOs, including Save the Children, verify data, saving $2 million in audits. Coordination with UNRWA supports $1 billion in aid pipelines, aligning with $1 trillion in global sustainability markets per Seville Commitment goals. Real-time monitoring contributes 0.01 percent to CO2e reductions, but 60 percent of aid groups lack access to Gaza, risking $10 million in inefficiencies. Israel’s visa restrictions on UN staff, including canceling the senior aid official’s visa, hinder operations.

Challenges to Scaling

Only 20 percent of Gaza’s population receives adequate aid, needing $500 million for 500 daily trucks. Israel’s restrictions, citing Hamas diversion, block 80 percent of supplies, costing $100 million in delays, per EU reports. Competition from US- and Israel-backed GHF, labeled “death traps” by UN officials, diverts $50 million in aid, with 1000 deaths at its sites. US ESG rollbacks and Trump’s budget cuts threaten $100 million in global aid funds, per Reuters. Military actions, killing 72 in 24 hours, disrupt 90 percent of distribution, per Gaza’s health ministry.

Future Outlook

By 2026, a $1 billion UN-led effort could feed 2 million Gazans, cutting 0.02 percent of CO2e emissions via efficient aid. Ceasefire talks in Rome, involving US envoy Steve Witkoff, may unlock $5 billion in recovery, per Reuters. Partnerships with 50 NGOs could save $500 million in costs. Scaling needs $200 million to bridge $10 billion in losses.

Explore ESG Solutions on our marketplace - OneStop ESG Marketplace.

Keep abreast of the top ESG Events on OneStop ESG Events.

OneStop ESG Educate: Your go-to source for top ESG courses and training programs tailored to your needs.