UN announced: Food aid to hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza is being cut

The United Nations (UN) World Food Program announced that it had to reduce food aid in the Gaza Strip, which is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis due to Israeli attacks.

According to Reuters, due to financial difficulties, the number of people receiving monthly food aid will be reduced from 1 million 600 thousand to 1 million 100 thousand. With this decision, approximately 500 thousand Palestinians will be deprived of regular food support.

According to WFP's statement, due to lack of funding, not only the number of people receiving aid but also the amount of food distributed was reduced.

While the amounts in food packages were halved, cash aid provided to 75 thousand families was also cut.

The daily number of hot meals distributed to Palestinians who do not have the opportunity to prepare their own meals decreased from 250 thousand to 150 thousand.

It was stated that some families living in areas with difficult transportation can now receive hot meals every two days instead of every day.

1.4 MILLION PEOPLE FACE THE RISK OF HUNGER

According to UN data, approximately 1 million 400 thousand people in Gaza, that is, two-thirds of the population, experience crisis level or more severe food insecurity.

It was reported that approximately 200 thousand of them face food insecurity at an emergency level.

It is feared that the cuts in food aid will further worsen the living conditions of Palestinians who have difficulty meeting their basic needs.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement reached last year under US mediation also envisaged the reconstruction of the region. However, limited progress was made in the implementation of the agreement, which includes topics such as the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region.

Speaking to Reuters in Gaza, WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau stated that living conditions in the region have not improved even though a year has passed since the ceasefire.

Skau emphasized that shelter opportunities, basic services and security in Gaza are inadequate, and said that the humanitarian situation continues to be severe.

'ASSISTANCE IS BEING CUT AS WE ENTER THE FOURTH WINTER'

Drawing attention to the fact that the cuts in food aid coincided with the approach of the winter months, Skau reminded that Gaza entered the fourth war winter in a row.

Stating that he has seen the winter conditions in the region before, Skau stated that families who do not have adequate shelter are facing a difficult period.

The World Food Program announced that it urgently needs $450 million in the next six months to continue its basic humanitarian aid activities in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Calling for support from the international community, Skau stated that current aid should be continued and the recovery process in the region should be initiated.

Skau emphasized that the world should not turn away from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for increased aid efforts.