WFP cuts Gaza aid to 1.1 million due to funding shortages

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced it is being forced to "drastically reduce lifesaving assistance" to the Gaza Strip due to funding shortages. The reduction will decrease the number of people receiving aid from 1.6 million to 1.1 million, affecting approximately 500,000 individuals categorized as "vulnerable."

Impact on Food Distribution

The cuts will take effect as winter approaches, a period when many families in Gaza are already struggling to feed themselves. Key changes to the WFP's operations include:

• Hot Meals: The number of hot meals provided by community kitchens will drop from 250,000 to 150,000 each day.
• Frequency: Families in hard-to-reach areas, such as those near the "Yellow Line" demarcating Israel's military control, will receive meals every other day instead of daily.
• Rations: The number of Gazans receiving bags of flour and ration boxes will fall from 1.1 million to 600,000 each month. Rations have been cut by half, meaning families who previously received two food parcels will now get one.
• Cash Transfers: The value of cash assistance will be reduced by 40 per cent for 75,000 families.

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

Humanitarian Conditions and Funding Gaps

Nearly all of Gaza's 2.1 million population remains displaced, and two-thirds rely on food aid to survive. According to the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC), two-thirds of the population—1.4 million people—were "expected to face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity in July-December 2026."

The WFP received less than half as much funding for its Palestinian operations in 2026 as in previous years. The agency says it urgently needs $450m (£338m) to maintain "critical" operations over the next six months. WFP acting executive director Carl Skau noted that traditional donors, including the US and Europe, had cut funding, citing "donor fatigue."

"As we're now entering winter, I'm really worried that we're … cutting assistance to half a million people," Skau said. "We are concerned … that is going to have consequences on hunger. Also beyond that, because where hunger spreads, instability follows."

Local Reactions and Market Dynamics

Residents in Gaza expressed fear over the reductions. Mervat al-Satari, a displaced mother of five, described the cuts as a "disaster." "What will we do with these reduced rations? How will we provide for the little ones?" she said. Dalal al-Dahdouh, living in the ruins of her home in Gaza City, noted that current handouts were already insufficient: "The flour isn't enough and the food boxes aren't enough either."

While food markets in Gaza are well-stocked, the WFP's market monitor for September found that 44 per cent of households are unable to afford basic food items due to high prices. Fatima Mohamed, a widow and mother of three, said, "The market is full of food products with little nutritional value and high sugar content... Many are unsuitable for children, yet they are sometimes cheaper than healthier, more nutritious alternatives."

Israeli Perspective and Operational Challenges

According to Israeli authorities, humanitarian aid continues to enter the Gaza Strip daily, and the situation is stable. COGAT, the Israeli military arm tasked with Gaza's logistics, stated in a recent statement, "Gaza is flooded with humanitarian aid and food supplies."

However, WFP officials argue that restrictions on goods entering the strip are hindering recovery. Skau stated, "If we could just be allowed to do work differently, if these restrictions around bringing tools and commodities in [were lifted] … that would get us so much further with the available resources." He warned that the gains made in recent months were "fragile" and could be at risk as assistance is cut back.

Why it matters

The reduction in aid occurs despite a ceasefire agreed a year ago, highlighting the persistent humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With more than 80% of the population unemployed and reliant on aid, the cuts threaten to exacerbate acute food insecurity and instability in the region. The WFP's situation also reflects broader global challenges, including competing priorities and funding shortfalls for humanitarian operations in multiple conflict zones.

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Sources

• bbc.com: World Food Programme forced to cut aid to Gaza due to funding shortages
• abc.net.au: UN World Food Programme slashes assistance in Gaza amid funding shortfalls - ABC News

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.