Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
October 21, 2025 Humanitarian aid
The ceasefire in Gaza has allowed UN humanitarian missions to reach the majority of people on the brink of famine. However, according to representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP), humanitarian organizations need significantly greater access to the Strip.
WFP Senior Regional Communications Officer Abeer Etefa told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that the agency had delivered more than 6,700 tonnes of food to Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect on October 11 – enough to feed nearly half a million people for two weeks.
"Daily deliveries continue, and are currently around 750 tons per day," Etefa said. "This is much more than before the ceasefire, but still significantly less than our target of approximately 2,000 tons daily."
She said achieving this goal was "almost impossible" unless all border crossings were opened.
Closed checkpoints
Currently, only the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings in the south are open, but “severe damage” is making it difficult to deliver supplies from the southern part of the strip to the north, where famine was officially declared back in August.
“We need to open the Erez and Zikkim crossings,” Etefa emphasized.
According to her, the priority remains the delivery of food to the northern part of Gaza by large convoys.
The rubble at the border crossings has been cleared, Etefa reported, allowing access to Gaza City, where the situation is particularly dire. "But if the crossings aren't opened, we won't be able to send large quantities of humanitarian aid there," she said.
Food distribution
WFP has begun restoring its food distribution system. Food distribution is planned at 145 locations across the sector. Currently, 26 locations have resumed operations.
"The response has been truly overwhelming," Etefa said. She added that many people are coming to the distribution points, expressing gratitude for the prompt delivery and the "decent conditions" in which they can receive their food rations.
Cautious optimism
Despite the improving situation, there's currently "cautious" optimism in Gaza, said a WFP spokesperson. Many residents of the Strip, having received food aid, are eating only part of it and saving the rest "for a rainy day" because they "don't know how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next."
"This is a fragile peace," Etefa noted. She also reported that food prices in Gaza remain very high, and most of the population is unable to afford food.
“There is food in the market, but for many it is simply out of reach – too expensive,” Etefa noted.
Financial assistance
WFP is providing assistance to those in need through digital payments, which have already enabled 140,000 people to purchase food at local markets. The program plans to double in size in the coming weeks.
Etefa reiterated its call for commercial supplies to be allowed into Gaza, in addition to humanitarian aid.
“Humanitarian aid alone will not solve the problem of malnutrition or provide adequate nutrition,” she explained.
According to a WFP spokesperson, only full compliance with the ceasefire terms will allow the agency to operate at the scale needed to address the crisis.
"It's crucial that the ceasefire holds," Etefa emphasized. "This is essentially the only way to save lives and stop the spread of hunger in northern Gaza."
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.