UN food agency to end monthly aid for about 500,000 people in Gaza as funds run short

People in Gaza, devastated by the conflict between Israel and Hamas, now face a hunger crisis. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has decided to stop monthly food assistance to about 500,000 Palestinian civilians because of a severe shortage of funds.

People are already living amid fear and uncertainty. Institutions such as education and health are close to collapse. Palestinians now fear dying for lack of food.

The decision comes at a time when two-thirds of Gaza's population is still struggling with food shortages. The question of survival for lakhs of people has become serious once again. Humanitarian organisations around the world also face the question of how to find a solution.

Global political analysts say that support to the United Nations from the United States has fallen sharply, and that Trump has a major role in this.

The WFP earlier provided grain or cash assistance every month to 1.6 million people in Gaza. With funds falling, this will now be limited to 1.1 million. As a result, about 500,000 people will lose regular monthly assistance. The number of food packets given to families receiving aid has also been reduced from two to one.

The cuts have not stopped at food packets; the distribution of hot meals has also been affected. Earlier 250,000 hot meals were distributed every day; this has now been reduced to 150,000. Some families in remote areas will get food every other day instead of daily. Cash assistance to 75,000 families has also been cut.

To improve conditions in Gaza, the WFP needs about $450 million in funds over the next six months. About 1.4 million people in Gaza are currently facing severe food shortages, and there is no guarantee of their survival.

With winter approaching, there are fears that the lack of shelter, food and basic facilities will worsen. The WFP has warned that if the funding shortfall continues, the progress made so far in improving conditions could be reversed.