WFP cuts West Bank aid by half amid funding crunch
The World Food Programme has cut food aid to the occupied West Bank by half as funding shortages force the agency to halt support for 200,000 people.
The update
The World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to cut food aid to the occupied West Bank by 50 percent, halting support for 200,000 people. The agency says needs in the territory have more than doubled over the past two years, driven by a lack of funding and worsening conditions. The cuts affect cash transfers, vouchers, and food assistance, leaving families reliant on a system that was already struggling to meet demand.
Why it matters
Nearly a million people across the West Bank are now food insecure, a figure that has surged from 11 percent two years ago. The WFP describes the situation as a lifeline being pulled away from vulnerable populations facing displacement and economic collapse. The agency warns that the cuts will exacerbate existing hardships in the region.
What to watch
The WFP has stated that it needs additional funding to continue operations. International donors have reportedly reduced contributions, leading to a broader funding shortfall. The agency has also reduced assistance in Gaza, where two-thirds of the population remains in crisis levels of hunger.
Sources
- UN News — The 50% aid cut, the doubling of needs, and the number of people losing access.
- aljazeera.com — The total number of food-insecure people in the West Bank and the reduction in Gaza assistance.