Gaza & Tigray: What happens when aid becomes a weapon of war

Humanitarian aid is struggling to reach people in Gaza

Gaza's 2.1 million residents are enduring one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly half a million people are facing catastrophic hunger, with acute malnutrition and starvation becoming widespread. Despite some aid entering through the Kerem Shalom crossing, the volume is grossly inadequate with data showing 93% of the Palestinians experienced acute food insecurity.  

UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticised Israel for allowing only a "teaspoon of aid" when a "flood" is needed. The limited aid that does arrive is often impacted by logistical challenges.  

Food and medicine have been blocked in other wars 

The use of aid blockades is not unique to Gaza. In Ethiopia's Tigray region, a complete blockade on health and humanitarian aid was imposed, preventing the delivery of life-saving medications and food for months. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation as unprecedented, noting that even in conflict zones like Syria and Yemen, some humanitarian access was maintained. The blockade in Tigray led to widespread famine, with reports of mass starvation and preventable deaths - a crisis that continues to persist even in the post-conflict period.  

The similarities between the Gaza crisis and the Tigray war

Both Gaza and Tigray have been affected by deliberate strategies to restrict humanitarian aid, resulting in severe health crises and suffering to their communities. In both regions, essential supplies like food and medicine have been withheld, leading to starvation and the collapse of healthcare systems. These actions violate international humanitarian law, which prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare. The situations in Gaza and Tigray demonstrate the need for the international community to uphold the principles of humanitarian access and protect civilians in conflict zones.  

Health is a human right, even during war

Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, even during times of war. In Gaza, the health system is on the brink of collapse, with 94% of hospitals damaged or destroyed and a severe shortage of medical supplies. Similarly, in Tigray, the blockade halted the delivery of essential medications, resulting in preventable deaths from treatable conditions and the collapse of the health care system, with over 70% of health facilities rendered non-functional. The deliberate targeting of healthcare infrastructure and obstruction of medical aid are clear violations of international law and moral obligations.  

The lack of decisive action from the international community

Despite clear evidence of humanitarian crises in both Gaza and Tigray, the international response has been insufficient. In Gaza, minimal aid has been allowed in, and proposed distribution models have been criticised for lacking impartiality. In Tigray, the international community failed to ensure consistent humanitarian access, allowing the blockade to persist for months. This lack of decisive action highlights the need for stronger mechanisms to enforce humanitarian law and protect civilians.  

What can be done to stop starvation from being used as a weapon of war  

Starvation is not a byproduct of war-it’s a deliberate crime. The world must act now to hold perpetrators accountable and protect civilians.  Governments and international organisations need to act now to ease the suffering.  

• Ensure unrestricted humanitarian access: Demand the immediate lifting of blockades and facilitate the delivery of essential supplies to affected populations; fund organisations such as the UN World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and NGOs working in war-affected regions.  
• Strengthen international humanitarian laws & enforcement: Global leaders should hold parties accountable for violations, including the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid; and support sanctions and prosecutions against perpetrators, including military leaders and regimes that weaponise hunger. 
• Protect healthcare infrastructure and health workers: Condemn and prevent attacks on medical facilities and ensure the safety of healthcare workers; protect aid workers from attacks and ensure safe corridors for relief operations.  

We can all play a part to be aid advocates 

Everyone can amplify voices of affected communities through media and social campaigns; lobby governments to prioritise famine prevention in foreign policy and conflict mediation; support investigative journalism to expose starvation tactics and hold perpetrators accountable; and evaluate personal support for companies profiting from conflicts where starvation is used as a weapon. 

Hailay Gesesew, PhD & Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Principal Research Fellow (NHMRC) is a researcher with expertise in perilous medicine, HIV care, and the social determinants of health. He is a member of the Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing (PHEHF) at Torrens University Australia.

For media enquiries, please contact Communications and Public Affairs at media.enquiries@torrens.edu.au .