Gaza: urgent action needed as hunger soars to critical levels
Story | 29 October 2024
Emergency
State of Palestine
- Over 90 percent
- of the population faces acute levels of food insecurity
- 1 million
- people will be deprived of WFP assistance in Gaza if more access is not made available
- US$177 million
- needed for WFP operations in Gaza and the West Bank until end of 2024
The situation in northern Gaza is deteriorating even further.
Virtually the entire area is under evacuation orders, with thousands of families forced to flee amid intense airstrikes and military operations.
People have run out of ways to cope, food systems have collapsed and the risk of famine persists. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) snapshot – which uses global, scientific standards – projects that over 1.95 million people in Gaza (91 percent of the population) will face acute food insecurity over the coming months.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has been on the ground in Gaza since the onset of the crisis, to deliver life-saving food every day despite the mounting challenges. But without access it is impossible to reach people in need.
We have consistently called for a halt to fighting to enable WFP and humanitarian agencies to respond adequately to the crisis. If the flow of assistance does not resume, 1 million vulnerable people will be deprived of this lifeline.
WFP is deeply concerned by developments in the West Bank. The situation is volatile, amid large-scale Israeli military operations, restrictions of movement and increasing settler violence, and this is driving up hunger.
WFP needs US$177 million to continue its work in Gaza and the West Bank until the end of 2024.
What the World Food Programme is doing to respond to the Palestinian emergency
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Food and cash assistance
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WFP is stretching its limited resources to ensure displaced families have something to eat, but the agency has little to work with. WFP has been able to dispatch 2,000 food rations, and around 200 tons of high-energy biscuits and nutritional supplements for distribution. Beyond that, there will be no more supplies in northern Gaza or Gaza City. WFP’s food-voucher programme in the West Bank has expanded sixfold and as of September we are reaching nearly 215,000 affected Palestinians with cash-based transfers. We provide cash top-ups in support of the national social safety net systems and one-off cash for displaced civilians in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and UNRWA.
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Supply chain
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WFP aims to shift from meeting basic needs to creating a sustainable response where communities can choose the food they need. This involves developing local markets, infrastructure, and food systems. The transition involves moving away from distributing canned goods, biscuits and ready-to-eat meals, to providing into cash assistance – once markets are functioning again.
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Logistics
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WFP supports partners through the Logistics Cluster, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster and the Food Security Cluster. WFP works with local partners on the ground to deliver assistance where possible.
How you can help
Humanitarian needs are rising even further in Palestine. Please donate today and help life-saving support reach those families who need it the most.
Donate now