World Food Programme Cuts Aid to Half a Million Palestinians in Gaza

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced significant cuts to its aid for Palestinians in Gaza, affecting more than half a million people. The reduction in support comes as the WFP faces funding shortages, which have forced it to scale back its operations. From October, the WFP will support only 1.1 million people each month, down from 1.6 million people previously. This decision follows a sharp decline in funding, which has fallen by more than half from 2025 levels.

The cuts include reduced deliveries of ration boxes, cash stipends for food purchases, and hot meals at community kitchens. Hot meals, which were previously provided daily, are now being delivered every other day. The WFP has also halved food rations and cut cash assistance for 75,000 families. These measures are intended to mitigate the impact of the funding cuts, but they are expected to push many families into dangerous levels of malnutrition.

Two-thirds of Gaza's population face crisis levels of food insecurity, with 200,000 Palestinians in emergency conditions. The situation is particularly dire for young children and their mothers, who are at high risk of malnutrition. A recent Unicef survey found that one in eight children in Gaza are chronically malnourished or stunted, with potential permanent damage.

The cuts come as winter approaches, deepening the hunger crisis in Gaza. The WFP's director for Palestine, Shaun Hughes, has warned that these gains are fragile and easily reversed. He emphasized the urgent need for more funding to restore and maintain critical programmes. The WFP requires over £300 million over the next six months to sustain its operations in Gaza and the West Bank.