The next is the transcript of an interview with UNICEF government director Catherine Russell that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Aug. 24, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We return now to Gaza and that beautiful declaration Friday a few monitoring group that Gaza Metropolis is experiencing man-made famine, and that these circumstances will develop quickly. UNICEF Government Director Catherine Russell joins us now. We wish to warn our viewers, there might be some upsetting photographs on this phase. Government Director Russell, thanks for becoming a member of us. We have spoken so many instances over the previous few years concerning the catastrophic hunger. Now you will have this technical designation- so uncommon to see a famine right here. They challenge it will unfold. Are you able to clarify, in real-world phrases, what does this imply for the kids who reside there?
CATHERINE RUSSELL: Properly, thanks, Margaret. Let me say this: You recognize, it has been, now, nearly two years since October seventh, and since then, Israeli youngsters have been killed and brought hostage, and now we’re seeing Palestinian youngsters lastly dealing with what we have been yelling and screaming about for months and months and months, which is a horrible famine. You recognize, we have estimated at this level that about 18,000 youngsters in Gaza have already died. And people are youngsters who die from a complete vary of points. However when you consider that, that is about 28 youngsters a day. That is nearly a classroom of youngsters each single day who’ve died for the reason that starting of this battle. We’ve got been saying we beware, proper, this- this famine is excellent across the nook, and it’s- it is nearly such as you’re screaming into an abyss, you realize. It is so- it is surprising that it is occurred, as a result of, as you mentioned, it occurs so hardly ever, however it’s not stunning. And what it means, actually, is that youngsters have been spending months and months with out enough meals. And we see only a horrible scenario the place youngsters are on the verge of hunger and finally dying from hunger. And I feel, you realize, to your viewers who have not seen this, and hopefully a lot of them haven’t, it’s a haunting picture. Kids actually waste away. And also you see it in rooms the place you realize instantly they’re all quiet. The kids are so quiet as a result of they haven’t any vitality even to cry, and to see that occur, and particularly in a spot the place meals will not be very far-off, proper? There isn’t any motive for this. This didn’t occur as a result of there have been cyclones or, you realize, droughts. This occurred as a result of we couldn’t get sufficient support in to those youngsters.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And as you realize, the Israeli authorities entity that oversees the Palestinian territories, it is referred to as COGAT, says there isn’t any famine. They are saying the UN information is flawed. The Prime Minister’s workplace says these are fabrications and resulting from prejudice. Are you able to clarify how you realize what you realize? We’re exhibiting photographs that we all know journalists have shot- journalists who reside inside Gaza, as a result of journalists usually are not allowed into Gaza to report. How are you aware that what you are saying is truth?
RUSSELL: Let me say two issues about that. One is the IPC, which is the group that makes this dedication, is an impartial group. They’re technical individuals. They don’t seem to be political individuals, and so they monitor this as they go, and so they have a look at points like, what are the degrees of meals deprivation, what is the acute malnutrition degree, what number of starvation-related deaths, so it is a very technical evaluation. And I feel we have seen elsewhere that that is very correct. I’d additionally say it- to me, it is sort of obscene that we’re having these conversations arguing about whether or not the methodology works or not. We all know youngsters are dying, proper? I’m bored with a dialogue about, effectively, are we giving the proper info or not? To begin with, let the worldwide press in. Allow them to make determinations. I imply, we have talked about this, Margaret, of you coming, you ought to be it your self. Everybody ought to be capable of get in there. Absent that, we will must depend on the information that now we have the individuals who had been there, and I can let you know, from the UNICEF perspective, our individuals are tortured by this. I imply, I’ve spoken to our employees, and they’re seeing youngsters who’re extremely disadvantaged, many 1000’s of youngsters who’ve had amputations, and are, you realize, it is only one horrible factor after one other for kids. And to recommend that there is something humorous happening right here is actually, in my thoughts, just- nearly making the scenario worse, proper? Simply cease the dialogue, cease arguing, and tackle the issue. Get meals in there. Deal with these youngsters, make it possible for they’ve the wherewithal to outlive and have a distant future.
MARGARET BRENNAN
And the Israeli authorities controls who will get in and who will get out. On the query, although, of creating positive that the meals you do get in will get to the proper individuals: The previous US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, and one other Mid-East Envoy have mentioned the UN companies could not prefer it, but when the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Basis is the one factor actually allowed to function, then perhaps there must be some compromise. Why- why not? The USA authorities is placing $30 million to work there. Why not work with them?
RUSSELL: You recognize, look, I- the methodology of the Gaza Humanitarian Basis will not be one thing that’s in keeping with the best way humanitarians work. That is a easy reply. And truthfully, you realize, if you consider it, the UN had 400 locations the place we might distribute support. The Gaza Humanitarian Basis had 4, okay? And you’ve got seen on tv, you will have seen this video of those nearly apocalyptic conditions the place individuals are streaming in direction of these locations, making an attempt to get meals, individuals are getting shot. It is a horrible scenario, and it does not work. It is not working that effectively. Now look, I do not- I do not a lot care if the Gaza Humanitarian Basis does some distribution. Simply allow us to our allow us to do our work, too. Allow us to in. We all know how to do that distribution. And after I say we, it isn’t simply UNICEF, it is the UN, it is the opposite worldwide NGOs. We do all of it all over the world. We have performed it for many years. We all know methods to do it. We all know methods to do it in a approach that it will get to the individuals who want it. And I, you realize, do each. I am high quality with that, however no less than make it possible for humanitarians can get in there and distribute the help pretty, and make it possible for these youngsters usually are not dying unnecessarily. No person desires that. President Trump has mentioned that no one desires that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: He did certainly. I wish to ask you, as effectively, about Sudan, the place there was a large humanitarian disaster. If the US will not be main efforts to get support in there, is anybody else stepping up?
RUSSELL: You recognize, look, the US has the power to be such a pressure for good, and we’d like them to step up and do extra. Sudan, as you say, is the most important displacement disaster on this planet. Hundreds of thousands of youngsters are on the transfer. They don’t seem to be in class. We now have a horrible outbreak of Cholera, which could be very harmful and kills youngsters inside hours if they can not get support. I imply, it’s completely horrific. And the US could be such a pressure for making constructive contributions. And I feel, you realize, different nations try, however the US actually could make a a lot greater distinction if they struggle to do that work, and do it as rapidly as potential.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And in Sudan, what’s the generational impression right here? When you do not look —
RUSSELL: Oh, it is horrible. To begin with, they don’t seem to be getting meals. They’re dealing with horrible sexual violence. I used to be simply in Chad and heard tales that would simply break your coronary heart, and it is devastating, and the outcomes, as you say, will final for generations.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thanks for sharing that. That is it for us at present. Thanks for watching. I am Margaret Brennan.
