Gaza, 30 November 2023 (TDI): The World Food Program (WFP) announced that it has delivered desperately needed food assistance to more than 120,000 people in Gaza during the recent pause in fighting.
WFP’s food assistance includes wheat flour, lentils, canned fish, and chickpeas, providing essential nutrients to families in need. The agency is also providing cash assistance to enable families to purchase food directly from local markets.
However, the agency warned that 2.2 million people still require sustained food aid, and safe and unimpeded humanitarian access remains essential to avert a full-blown catastrophe.
Despite the recent delivery, WFP’s operations are still severely hampered by restrictions on access and funding shortfalls. The agency urgently needs US$61 million to continue its food assistance programs for the next six months.
The ongoing restrictions on access to Gaza pose a significant challenge to WFP’s ability to deliver life-saving assistance.
The agency’s operations are frequently hampered by border closures, bureaucratic hurdles, and security concerns. These restrictions impede the timely delivery of food aid, exacerbating the plight of Gazans.
WFP urges all parties to the conflict to prioritize humanitarian considerations and ensure safe and unimpeded access to Gaza.
The situation in Gaza is particularly concerning for children, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
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Over 330,000 children under the age of five are stunted, a condition caused by chronic malnutrition that can lead to irreversible physical and cognitive impairments.
The agency calls for an immediate end to restrictions on the movement of people and goods, allowing WFP to deliver food assistance efficiently and effectively.
WFP also appeals to the international community to step up funding for its operations in Gaza. The agency’s ability to avert a full-blown food crisis is contingent on the generosity of donors.
Without urgent action, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is poised to worsen, pushing the population towards the brink of catastrophe.
