Gaza Families Face Starvation as WFP Slashes Vital Aid Amid Funding Crisis

Palestinian families in Gaza, already devastated by war, are expressing profound fear that the World Food Programme's (WFP) decision to cut food and cash assistance for approximately 500,000 individuals could eliminate their sole means of survival. The WFP announced this drastic measure on Monday, citing a critical lack of funding. Carl Skau, acting head of the UN agency, stated, "This is not because the needs are going down, and it's not because we aren't able to bring in the food. This is only because we have less funding."

For nearly two years, Ahmed Al Haj, a 53-year-old displaced resident, has depended on WFP financial aid to feed his family after losing his home and livelihood during the Gaza war. Mr. Al Haj typically receives a payment of 1,250 Israeli shekels (around $380) every two to three months, which has become their primary support in a displacement camp in Al Mawasi, southern Gaza. "WFP assistance is extremely important to me, and my family depends on it to survive," he told The National. "After hearing the news that assistance would be reduced for half a million people in Gaza. I became afraid that my financial support might be cut off."

Originally from the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, Mr. Al Haj and his family have been living in a tent since their home was destroyed. Both he and his eldest son, Ahmed, sustained injuries during the war, requiring ongoing medical treatment that prevents them from working, even if employment opportunities existed. "We should be the ones providing for our family but unfortunately, there are no jobs available. Even if there were, our injuries would prevent us from working," he explained.

Mr. Al Haj sought clarification from WFP offices in Gaza regarding his assistance but was informed that the new beneficiary list had not yet been approved. "I hope the assistance continues because if it stops, my family and I will have nothing left to depend on," he stated. "We will be left completely without any source of income." His anxieties are echoed by many other displaced Palestinians who rely on humanitarian aid for their most basic needs amidst high unemployment, widespread destruction of businesses, and growing uncertainty surrounding international aid programs.

The cuts announced on Monday will reduce the number of Palestinians receiving monthly WFP assistance from 1.6 million to 1.1 million. Beyond the number of recipients, the quantity of aid is also affected. Families who previously received two food parcels will now get one, accompanied by a smaller bag of wheat flour. Daily hot meal distributions will decrease from 250,000 to 150,000, and cash assistance for 75,000 families has also been reduced.

The WFP has indicated that funding for its Palestinian operations in 2026 is less than half of previous years, and the agency urgently requires $400 million to sustain essential programs in Gaza and the occupied West Bank over the next six months. This announcement comes at a time when an estimated 1.4 million people in Gaza, or 67% of the population, are facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity. The WFP reports that approximately 200,000 individuals are experiencing emergency levels of hunger.

While food security saw a modest improvement following the October 2025 ceasefire, the WFP cautioned that these gains are precarious and could be reversed by declining humanitarian assistance. An internal WFP employee in Gaza noted a significant drop in aid deliveries over the past month to six weeks. "On days when the [border] crossing was operating, we used to receive more than 25 trucks a day carrying aid for distribution to residents. But for approximately the past month and a half, the number of trucks has not exceeded eight or 10, even on the best days," they reported. "On some days, only five trucks enter. We have been informed internally more than once that these reductions are due to a shortage of funding and donations for Gaza. There have also been reductions in the cash assistance programme. More than 100,000 families previously received 1,250 shekels during each payment cycle, but they will now receive only 750 shekels, according to specific criteria."

For Mohammed Abu Ailwa, 46, these reductions jeopardize one of the few remaining food sources for his family of nine, which includes two individuals with disabilities, residing in a displacement camp near Gaza city’s port. Mr. Abu Ailwa's small grocery shop in the Al Shati refugee camp was destroyed in the war, forcing him to rely on monthly WFP food parcels containing lentils, rice, cooking oil, flour, and canned goods. "World Food Programme assistance is a lifeline for us in Gaza," he stated. "It is true that the food items are repetitive and available in local markets, but people like me who have no money depend on the monthly WFP food parcel." He expressed deep concern about providing for his family, especially as many community kitchens offering free meals have ceased operations. "The food parcels and assistance should be increased, not reduced," he urged. Even before the cuts, the assistance was insufficient, but "having a little is better than having nothing at all," he added.

Economic analyst Ahmed Abu Qamar warned that the reduction in humanitarian assistance could have severe repercussions for Gaza's already crippled economy. He explained that the food and cash aid not only supports families but also stimulates the local economy by enabling purchases of essential goods. Reduced support would diminish purchasing power, weaken market demand, and further strain local traders and businesses. "As a result, local markets risk becoming trapped in a vicious cycle of rising poverty, declining consumption and weakening economic activity," Mr. Abu Qamar observed. He questioned the long-term viability of humanitarian programs in a territory where a significant portion of the population has lost their livelihoods. Repeated funding shortages, he noted, raise concerns about the humanitarian response's capacity to meet Gaza's escalating needs. The crisis extends beyond food quantity, impacting quality and diversity. Limited food options, such as flour and canned goods, cannot replace fresh, nutritious products. The WFP indicates that only one in five children in Gaza consumes a sufficiently diverse diet. With over 80% unemployment, many families cannot afford fresh produce or protein-rich foods even when available.

Mr. Abu Qamar advocated for sustained humanitarian funding, improved management and diversification of food supplies, and the full restoration of UNRWA's operational capacity. As winter approaches and hundreds of thousands remain displaced in temporary shelters, the aid cuts threaten to exacerbate the hardships faced by families struggling to meet their daily needs.