On August 27, local time, Guyana and Slovenia, as the informal co-coordinators of the Security Council on "Conflict and Hunger", issued a joint statement with all members of the Security Council except the United States at the United Nations Headquarters, expressing shock and concern at the report of the United Nations agency confirming the outbreak of famine in the Gaza Strip. This is the first time that famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East.
The statement noted that more people are dying daily from malnutrition in Gaza, including a large number of children. The famine is expected to spread to Delhi and Khan Younis by the end of September. Gaza, with 1.5 million, is facing severe food insecurity, with at least 13.2 thousand children expected to suffer acute malnutrition by June 2026, of which 4.1 thousand children are at risk of death.
They called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, for the release of all hostages, for a massive increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and for Israel to lift all restrictions on aid transportation.
The statement concluded by stressing that the time is urgent and that humanitarian emergencies must be addressed immediately.