The World Food Programme has distributed food to one million Gazans since the ceasefire but warns northern crossings remain closed, limiting aid delivery.
GENEVA: The United Nations has distributed food parcels to one million people in Gaza since the ceasefire began.
World Food Programme spokeswoman Abeer Etefa confirmed the milestone but warned the agency remains in a race to save lives.
She stressed all crossing points into Gaza must open to flood the famine-hit territory with aid.
Etefa expressed frustration that northern crossings with Israel remain closed without explanation.
The WFP aims to reach 1.6 million people with food parcels providing 10 days of family rations.
Operations require more access, additional border openings and better road access inside Gaza, she said.
The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10.
WFP has opened 44 of its planned 145 food distribution points across Gaza.
Approximately 700,000 people now receive fresh bread daily from 17 WFP-supported bakeries.
The agency hopes to expand bakery operations to 25 locations.
Food consumption has increased slightly but remains well below pre-conflict levels.
Households still primarily eat cereals and pulses, with meat and produce consumed extremely rarely.
WFP Gaza spokeswoman Nour Hammad said commercial food prices remain unaffordable for most families.
An apple now costs what a kilogram of apples cost before the October 2023 conflict began.
The WFP has brought in only half the food required to meet Gaza’s needs.
Etefa described the needs as overwhelming and reiterated the race against time continues.
WFP trucks currently only use Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings, severely limiting aid capacity.
This restriction poses a major obstacle to delivering assistance to northern Gaza. – AFP
