UN Delivers Food Aid to Nearly One Million Gaza Residents Despite Halved Rations

United Nations humanitarian agencies reported on Friday (27 February) that food aid had been distributed to approximately 200,000 families, or nearly one million people, in the Gaza Strip during February despite ration allocations being halved.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the reduction in rations was primarily caused by insufficient supply entering Gaza.

OCHA added that approximately two-thirds of aid trucks entering through the Egyptian corridor during the month had been sent back.

From the coordinated humanitarian movements planned on Thursday (26 February), four were facilitated whilst five missions faced obstruction, OCHA said, noting that requests to evaluate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in northern Gaza were directly rejected.

“With an already fragile health system, these patients face obstacles, particularly as the entry of prosthetic devices and other essential support equipment remains heavily restricted,” the office stated.

“The UN and its partners continue to call for barriers to be removed so they can increase assistance.”