World Food Programme Halts Aid to 500,000 in Gaza Due to Funding Shortage

This reduction decreases the total number of monthly aid recipients from 1.6 million to 1.1 million, which is approximately half of Gaza's population. In addition to removing half a million people from its rolls, the agency has halved food rations, cut cash assistance for 75,000 families, and reduced daily hot meals from 250,000 to 150,000. Some families in remote areas will now receive hot meals only every other day.

According to the agency, the cuts come at a critical time as Gaza faces its fourth winter. WFP Country Director Sean Hughes stated that nearly everyone remains displaced without a permanent home amid daily airstrikes. Acting Executive Director Carl Skau described life in Gaza as brutal, noting that 1.4 million people, or two-thirds of the population, still experience acute food insecurity, including 200,000 in emergency conditions.

The organization warned that while its previous efforts had mitigated famine conditions last year, current humanitarian conditions remain harsh. To maintain its operations in Gaza and Judea and Samaria over the next six months, the agency urgently requires 450 million dollars.