World Food Programme forced to cut aid to half a million Palestinians in the Strip due to funding

The World Food Programme warned that funding shortages are forcing reductions in its Gaza operations, leaving about half a million people without monthly food aid. The programme reduced its aid from 1.6 million to 1.1 million people. Medical sources said that starvation since 2024 has resulted in 466 deaths, including 157 children.

The United Nations World Food Programme warned on Monday that funding shortages are forcing significant reductions in its operations in the Gaza Strip, leaving about half a million people without monthly food aid. The programme said it has reduced its planned monthly aid from 1.6 million people to 1.1 million people. The programme's country director, Sean Hughes, confirmed that as of this month, they have had to remove half a million people from the total they assist. The article quoted medical sources as saying that malnutrition and starvation since 2024 have resulted in 466 deaths, including 157 children. The sources noted 158,001 cases of acute malnutrition among children under five since 2024, and an increase in mortality rates among children under five. They also mentioned a rise in anemia rates among pregnant women to 61%, and about 4,000 cases of pregnancy loss during the first half of 2026. The medical sources called on the international community to take immediate action to ensure the entry of food and medicine into the Strip.