WFP delivers 560 tons of food daily to Gaza but says it's not enough

The UN World Food Program (WFP) is currently delivering an average of 560 tons of food to Gaza daily, leveraging the ceasefire that began on October 11 to scale up critical aid. However, the agency has cautioned that these supplies still fall far short of what is required to address the severe hunger and needs of Gaza's over two million residents.

Scaling Up Distribution and Bread Production

Abeer Etefa, a WFP spokesperson, stated that the ceasefire has provided a "narrow window of opportunity" to reach families who have endured months of displacement and aid shortages. The agency is rapidly working to expand its operational capacity, currently operating only five food distribution points with a goal of increasing this number to 145 locations across Gaza. Concurrently, nine bakeries supported by WFP are producing over 100,000 bundles of bread daily, feeding approximately half a million people.

Logistical Challenges and Pre-Positioned Supplies

The success of the expanded aid operation hinges on the consistent flow of trucks into the territory. Etefa emphasized that reaching the target of 145 distribution points is entirely dependent on "trucks continuing to roll in consistently." To ensure continuity, the WFP has pre-positioned nearly 60,000 tons of food supplies in neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan, as well as inside Israel.

Increasing Truck Volumes and Sustained Access

According to data from the UN's humanitarian coordination office (OCHA), the number of aid trucks entering Gaza has been rising, with 950 trucks crossing on Thursday. These figures encompass aid from commercial, bilateral, and UN-coordinated systems. The WFP hopes to further increase its impact by supporting 30 bakeries across Gaza, but all efforts remain contingent on sustained humanitarian access and the continuation of the truce.