For decades, Palestine has been facing a protracted and complex protection and humanitarian crisis. The crisis is tied to prolonged occupation, internal political divisions, and recurrent conflict that pose a threat to stability and development of the Palestinian people.

The humanitarian situation has worsened alarmingly since an upsurge in violence from October 2023. Famine has been confirmed in Gaza Governorate and is projected to expand to Deir al- Balah and Khan Younis governorates by the end of September, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Alert. More than half a million people face widespread starvation, destitution and death. Over 1 million more are facing Emergency levels of food insecurity. 

Relentless conflict, the collapse of essential services and severe limitations on the delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance have led to catastrophic conditions.

There is also deep concern over the escalating violence and movement restrictions in the West Bank, which are severely disrupting markets, livelihoods and food security. More than 40,000 people have been displaced since mid-January 2025. 

Prior to the escalation of violence in October 2023, the collapse of all productive sectors, basic social services and infrastructures in Gaza was shocking. 

The continuous large-scale security, political and economic unrest in the West Bank and the sea, land and air blockade on the Gaza Strip have resulted in economic stagnation, loss of land and restricted trade and access to resources, along with high unemployment and poverty rates. These circumstances continue to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation. 

The World Food Programme (WFP), through our dual mandate in humanitarian and development, provides life-saving food assistance to the most vulnerable and food insecure non-refugee Palestinians. When conditions allow, WFP can resume work to safeguard livelihoods, build resilience and reconstitute food systems in vulnerable areas. WFP can also lend technical expertise to support national institutions by strengthening their capacities to respond to shocks and building an inclusive social safety net.

To further strengthen the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, WFP can provide climate-smart agricultural assets such as hydroponics and wicking beds to households to increase their calorie intake and enable them to generate income. WFP has also previously scaled up resilience-building activities to include greenhouses, vegetable farms, sheep, poultry, and technical and vocational trainings for youth and people with disabilities. These projects reduce people’s vulnerability to external shocks, serve as a safety net, and support livelihoods. 

WFP provides logistics support to humanitarian and development partners, allowing them to reach more people faster, and at a lower cost to donors and the environment. By offering our cash-based transfer platform to the wider humanitarian and development community, coordinating logistics, and developing an inter-agency common feedback mechanism, WFP contributes to wider humanitarian efforts.

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What the World Food Programme is doing in Palestine

Food assistance

WFP provides unconditional food assistance, when this is possible. In addition to general food distributions - parcels that contain pasta, pulses and canned food - WFP also provides assistance through hot meals kitchens, and provides wheat flour, yeast, sugar and salt to bakeries to support local bread production. WFP also provides complementary nutritional supplements to pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under 5 to meet their increased needs.

Publications

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In focus

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in the State of Palestine is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Canada European Union (ECHO) France Germany Japan

Operations in Palestine

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Contacts

Office

c/o UNDP/PAPP 4A Yakubi Street, PO BOX 51359 Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem
Palestinian Territories

Phone
+972 (0)2 5401340/1/2
Fax
+972 (0)2 5401227
Email
info.wfppal@wfp.org
For media inquiries
info.wfppal@wfp.org

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