WFP - World Food Programme

12/21/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/21/2023 05:26

Government of Switzerland donates to United Nations World Food Programme for Gaza Crisis Response

East Jerusalem - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a donation of CHF 10,000,000.00 (over USD 11,400,00) from the Swiss Government in support of WFP's emergency response in Gaza. These funds, which have come at a critical point in the crisis, will help WFP bring vital emergency food assistance to the people of Gaza.

With the markets inside Gaza now all but collapsed, many are now going days without eating, meaning WFP and partners on the ground are seeing an increasing risk of starvation. By donating to support WFP's emergency response, particularly WFP's efforts at expanding and boosting logistical capacities for humanitarian partners to receive and distribute aid, the Government of Switzerland will help WFP to reach those most vulnerable.

WFP has been mobilizing and delivering food for Gazan families every day since the beginning of the crisis, distributing food to displaced families in UN shelters and host communities. With the support of donors like the Swiss Government, WFP plans to reach more than a million displaced Gazans with food assistance in the form of food parcels and hot meals for displaced families by the end of the year.

"This commitment will support us in our plans to provide to as many Gazans facing desperate situations as possible," says WFP Representative and Country Director in Palestine Samer AbdelJaber. "WFP also aims to restore the markets inside Gaza once there is a permanent ceasefire, and this funding is critical to enable this work."

WFP is grateful for this support from the Swiss Government, as providing lasting food assistance and support for the people of Gaza is dependent on the support of partners and donors to expand logistics work across Gaza.

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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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