Price hikes worsen food insecurity in Palestine
Thousands of Palestinian families are facing the threat of food insecurity, as a result of the significant rise in the prices of basic commodities, while officials fail to address the issue.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Rising prices of food commodities and basic products in the Palestinian territories have pushed thousands of families below the poverty line.
The coronavirus pandemic, followed by the Russian-Ukrainian war, further worsened the situation. A May 9 World Bank report said that the pandemic has severely affected the well-being of Palestinians and created more poverty.
In another report published June 20, the World Bank said, “The poor nutritional status of the Palestinian population is worrying, with a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among groups for whom good nutrition is particularly important, such as children under five years old and pregnant and postnatal women."
The report added, “In the West Bank and Gaza, … poor households especially have limited access to micronutrient-rich foods, such as red meat, fresh vegetables, and milk.”
