World Food Programme Cuts Aid in Gaza Due to Funding Shortages, Leaving 500,000 People Without Support

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said that a funding shortfall is forcing it to make significant cuts to its aid program in Gaza, leaving around 500,000 people without monthly food assistance in the enclave.

The agency stated it is reducing the number of monthly aid recipients from 1.6 million to 1.1 million, halving food rations, cutting cash assistance for 75,000 households, and reducing the number of daily hot meals provided to those unable to cook from 250,000 to 150,000. Some families in hard-to-reach areas are receiving just one hot meal every two days.

The WFP explained that approximately 1.4 million people, or two-thirds of Gaza’s population, are facing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse, including around 200,000 people in emergency conditions.

In this context, WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau told Reuters in Gaza that a year has passed since the ceasefire agreement, yet life remains harsh, with no adequate shelter, no basic services, and no safety or security. He added that these cuts are coming as the enclave enters its fourth winter, noting that winters there are extremely harsh.

The US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza last year called for the eventual reconstruction of the enclave, but only minimal progress has been made toward implementing an agreement to end the conflict that includes conditions for the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The WFP said it urgently needs $450 million over the next six months to sustain essential operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Skau said they are telling the world that this is not a time to look away, but a time to step forward to maintain this support, protect the progress made, and advance early recovery.