Kathmandu— The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) has announced significant cuts to food aid in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, impacting over 400,000 people. The reduction comes amid a severe funding crisis exacerbated by decreased donations from Western countries, particularly the United States. Starting this month, assistance in the form of cash, vouchers, food, livelihood programs, and nutritional services will be halved for beneficiaries in the West Bank, while Gaza faces similar reductions.

Funding Constraints

The WFP has been forced to cut its support due to critical financing constraints. In the occupied West Bank, where 900,000 people are food insecure, the agency is now supporting only half of those in need. The Country Director for Palestine, Shaun Hughes, stated that the organization is prioritizing the most vulnerable while cutting assistance to others despite widespread needs.

Impact on Gaza

In Gaza, where 1.5 million people receive WFP support, including one million who get monthly food aid, the agency has started reducing cash assistance for around 75,000 families. The cash value of its assistance for 375,000 people in the Palestinian enclave was reduced by 40 percent in July.

Call for Additional Funding

The WFP estimates it needs an additional $386 million over the next six months to serve around two million food-insecure people across Gaza and the West Bank. Hughes urged the international community to act immediately and step up support for Palestinians, highlighting that humanitarian needs globally are at an all-time high.

Despite being the largest fund provider in 2025, the US share of total UN aid funding has shrunk significantly from over one-third to just 15.6 percent.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.