Published on: 2026-09-02
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 2, 2026 Humanitarian aid
Due to an acute funding shortage, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is forced to halve aid to families in the West Bank. This comes amid a rapid increase in humanitarian needs: over the past two years, they have more than doubled.
“Our resources are running out, which means that starting today, about 200,000 people will be deprived of vital assistance,” said WFP representative in Palestine Sean Hughes.
According to him, the large-scale increase in food insecurity was a direct consequence of the escalation of settler violence, Israeli military operations, as well as house demolitions, severe movement restrictions, and mass displacement of residents.
On the brink of survival
At the same time, the region is experiencing a severe economic crisis that has pushed people to the brink of survival. The unemployment rate has more than doubled, and today more than a third of the population is barely making ends meet.
“There are products in the markets, but people simply cannot afford them,” Hughes emphasized.
Currently, nearly one million residents of the West Bank are facing food shortages – more than a quarter of the entire population. For comparison, just two years ago this figure was 11 percent.
People in a hopeless situation
According to Hughes, during recent trips to the region, he saw families who used to live off agriculture but have now lost their land, homes, and livelihoods.
“These people found themselves in a hopeless situation: they cannot move freely, which prevents them from cultivating the land or going to work, and as a result, they are unable to feed their families,” he noted.
A UNRWA representative explained: although the West Bank has traditionally not been considered a food crisis zone, the situation is worsening day by day. Even the modest cash payments from UNRWA – about 50 shekels (less than 20 dollars) per person per month – were for many the only respite. Now, due to lack of funds, even these payments are stopping.
Food crisis in Gaza
In the Gaza Strip, UNRWA was forced to reduce cash payments for 75,000 families as early as July.
He emphasized that the slight improvement in food security indicators recorded last month should not create illusions: two-thirds of the enclave’s population still experience a critical, near-famine level of food shortage.
If humanitarian supplies cease, “by the end of the year up to 90 percent of Gaza’s inhabitants will face an acute food crisis,” Hughes reported.
To avoid further cuts to aid programs in Gaza and the West Bank over the next six months, WFP requires 386 million dollars. Hughes called on the international community not to cease support.
Problems in healthcare
Meanwhile, the WHO notes an improvement in the quality of medical care in Gaza, but the progress is uneven.
According to the organization’s estimates, more than 6,600 people with amputated limbs require long-term rehabilitation. At the same time, since May 2024, not a single prosthesis has been brought into Gaza that would allow the victims (many of whom are children) to walk again and lead a full life.
By July, only 12 percent of people who lost limbs since October 2023 were able to receive prosthetics.
WHO also reports that the lack of clean drinking water can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.