Amid theongoing conflict, shifting battlefronts, and the challenges and restrictions on humanitarian assistance, all operations are hanging by a thread. However, thanks to the generous and unwavering commitment of the Government of Japan, WFP is able to continue its humanitarian response on the ground. This contribution will allow WFP to procure Japanese canned fish and wheat flour, to provide highly nutritious and essential meals for approximately 312,000 people coping with recurring displacements.

Mr. NAKASHIMA Yoichi, H.E. Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs / Representative of Japan to Palestine, said "This support embodies Japan's commitment to continue its contribution to supporting Palestinian food security and to reach lasting peace in Palestine and its neighbouring country."

For over ten months now, continued hostilities, destruction, displacement, and hunger have shaped in the Gaza Strip, pushing over two million people to full dependency on humanitarian assistance. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report findings show that the entire population of Gaza - 2.2 million people - faces high levels of food insecurity, with around 69 percent of the population in Emergency and Catastrophic levels of food insecurity. As the war in Gaza continues, increased violence and movement restrictions have severely impacted the economy and daily life in the West Bank, leading to devastating humanitarian consequences. WFP estimates the escalation of violence in the West Bank could push at least 600,000 people into food insecurity, marking a 42.1 percent increase since the beginning of the war.

"I am meeting families and parents who struggle to secure the most basic needs, even if it just means putting one meal a day on the table. This assistance is lifesaving; it will help families put ready-to-eat food on their tables and have access to a key staple, bread. We extend our profound appreciation to the people of Japan," says Antoine Renard, Representative and Country Director of WFP Palestine. "The ongoing support from the Government of Japan is crucial to support efforts at preventing famine and alleviating suffering in Gaza."

WFP is providing essential food assistance to over 1.3 million people across Gaza and the West Bank every month, while simultaneously working to restore and strengthen collapsed food systems. WFP's food distribution efforts extend to United Nations shelters, communities, and temporary camps, delivering ready-to-eat meals and free bread or wheat flour to those in need. Despite the ongoing challenges that WFP faces in delivering lifesaving food daily to Palestinian families, generous contributions from esteemed donors, like the Government of Japan, ensure this vital lifeline remains.

Having extended its steadfast support to WFP, making substantial contributions of around US$34 million over the past five years, including over US$ 21 million since the outbreak of the current conflict, Japan stands among WFP's pivotal donors in Palestine and is one of the foremost contributors to WFP's emergency operations in Gaza and the West Bank since the outbreak of the current conflict.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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