WFP forced to cut Gaza aid

The World Food Programme says it must drastically reduce lifesaving assistance to Gaza due to funding shortages. The number of people helped will drop from one point six million to one point one million.

Hot meals cut as winter nears

Community kitchens will cut daily hot meals from two hundred fifty thousand to one hundred fifty thousand. Families in hard-to-reach areas will receive meals every other day instead of daily.

Gaza's displaced population relies on aid

Nearly all of Gaza's two point one million population remains displaced. Two-thirds rely on food aid to survive, with many living in camps across the territory.

Families fear the impact

Mervat al-Satari, a displaced mother-of-five at a camp in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, said of the cuts: "It's a disaster! What will we do with these reduced rations? How will we provide for the little ones?"

“It's a disaster! What will we do with these reduced rations? How will we provide for the little ones?”

Cash transfers and ration boxes slashed

Since July, cash transfers to half a million people have been reduced. The WFP will now give ration boxes to six hundred thousand people monthly, down from one point one million.

WFP director: cuts are about money

Shaun Hughes, WFP Palestine director, said the cuts are being made because of finances, "not because the needs are coming down, or because we don't have access - we do."

“not because the needs are coming down, or because we don't have access - we do”

Existing aid already insufficient

Families receiving WFP food handouts told the BBC the portions were already too small. Dalal al-Dahdouh, living in ruins in Gaza City with eight family members, said the new cuts will have "a major impact."

Fuel crisis forces families to burn waste

There is no cooking gas available in Gaza because Israel considers it a dual use item. Families send children into streets to find plastic and cardboard to burn as fuel for cooking and heating food.

Food insecurity expected to worsen

The Integrated Phase Classification reported in July that two-thirds of Gaza's population, one point four million people, were expected to face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity in July-December twenty twenty-six.