WFP: Half a million ‘besieged’ Gazans lose food aid due to lack of funds

News October 26, 2026 / By: Ann Danaiya Usher

The World Food Programme has been forced to cut food deliveries for half a million people in Gaza, where it is the principal provider of food aid. The agency lacks USD 450 million for its Palestine programme. In an interview with Development Today, WFP Director for the Middle East Samer Abdeljaber lays out the challenges in Gaza, saying it is difficult to compare with food crises elsewhere: “People have no alternative. They are besieged.”

WFP food distribution CROPPED.jpg — WFP has gradually taken over wheat distribution in Gaza from UNRWA. Now, due to funding cuts, WFP is reducing the number of people receiving food aid from 1.6 million to 1.1 million. (Photo by WFP)

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