Half a million Palestinians in Gaza are to lose food support amid WFP funding shortage
Food aid reductions announced
The United Nations World Food Programme said Monday that it must reduce its monthly food assistance in Gaza. The number of recipients will fall from 1.6 million to 1.1 million, leaving about 500,000 without support.
The agency is also reducing hot meals for people unable to cook, from 250,000 to 150,000. It said the cuts reflect severe funding shortages and that it lacks enough money to maintain its current level of assistance.
Hunger and living conditions
The WFP estimates that 1.4 million people in Gaza face crisis levels of food insecurity, while 200,000 are living in emergency conditions. The agency says more than two-thirds of Palestinians in Gaza are struggling to get food.
Acting WFP Executive Director Carl Skau told Reuters that living conditions remain brutal a year after a ceasefire agreement took effect. He cited inadequate shelter and a lack of basic services and security, and said the approaching fourth winter would be extremely harsh.
Funding appeal and competing claims
The WFP says it urgently needs $450 million to sustain critical operations in Gaza and the West Bank for the next six months. Skau urged the world to maintain support and protect progress while advancing early recovery. The WFP had announced aid cuts in the West Bank in early September, citing funding shortages and donor fatigue.
Key points
- WFP assistance in Gaza will drop from 1.6 million recipients to 1.1 million.
- About 500,000 people will lose food support, and hot meal provision will fall to 150,000.
- The agency reports 1.4 million people face crisis-level food insecurity, including 200,000 in emergency conditions.
- WFP says it needs $450 million for Gaza and West Bank operations over the next six months.