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

Famine was confirmed in Gaza Governorate in August 2025 and projected to expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

Over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions (IPC Phase 5), characterized by starvation, destitution and death. Over 1 million more are facing Emergency levels of food insecurity.

Acute malnutrition is projected to continue worsening rapidly, with at least 132,000 children aged under 5 at risk of death through to June 2026. This number has doubled compared to IPC estimates in May 2025.

A ceasefire paves the way for humanitarian agencies to reach vulnerable populations previously cut off from life-saving aid.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun scaling up operations and aims to feed up to 1.6 million people over the next three months.

To deliver at scale, WFP requires fast, efficient use of all entry points, secure and unhindered humanitarian access, rehabilitation of vital infrastructure and storage facilities, and faster clearance protocols.

We call on all parties and the international community to ensure the instant, safe delivery of life-saving food.

What the World Food Programme is doing to respond to the Palestinian emergency

Food and cash assistance

WFP plans to feed up to 1.6 million people – around 320,000 families – between October and January 2026, with bread, wheat flour and family food parcels. We will increase the number of bakeries we support from 10 to 30 in the coming weeks, dramatically increasing access to fresh bread. Additionally, WFP will expand its nutritional support for pregnant and breastfeeding women, which the agency has already been increasing over the past few weeks. Digital payments are being made to the most food-insecure people. Around 140,000 people have already benefited from these payments, which allow for the purchase of food in local markets. WFP plans to double the programme in the coming weeks.

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