On Point | Podcast Famine in Gaza
Aug 4, 2025
Louise Wateridge, a senior emergency officer for UNRWA, Alex Duvall, a Tufts professor and famine expert, and Abir Barakat, a displaced university professor, discuss the grim reality of food shortages in Gaza. They share heart-wrenching stories highlighting the struggle for dignity amidst starvation. The conversation also addresses the psychological impacts of famine and the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations amid ongoing conflict. The guests shed light on the denial of famine by authorities, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and action.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Gazans' Coffee and Bread Substitutes
- Abir Barakat recounts how Gazans use chickpeas roasted and spiced as a coffee substitute due to coffee grain shortages.
- They even make bread out of soaked pasta to cope with severe food scarcity.
Starvation's Visible Toll on Gazans
- Abir Barakat describes widespread malnutrition and extreme physical deterioration among Gazans.
- She notes people barely recognize each other due to drastic weight loss and malnourishment.
Aid Trucks Stalled Outside Gaza
- Gazan residents are starving while thousands of trucks of aid sit just outside Gaza due to political obstacles.
- This paradox highlights the tragic denial of desperately needed supplies despite availability nearby.
