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Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

    Millions Face Hunger in Gaza After US Cut to Palestine Aid

    Millions+Face+Hunger+in+Gaza+After+US+Cut+to+Palestine+Aid

    Over millions in Gaza, Palestine could face a crisis in the next month unless international donors fill a $60 million funding black hole largely created by cuts to Palestinian refugee aid by the Trump administration, a UN agency has said.

    The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which provides food for more than one million people in the Gaza strip, is calling on the EU, Gulf States and large emerging economies such as Russia and China to make “firm commitments” of $60m by the middle of June to prevent hunger to Palestinian civilians.

    “We are in a critical situation in terms of our food delivery work,” said Matthias Schmale, the director of the UNRWA’s operations in Gaza. “We have over a million people receiving quarterly food handouts and many of these people would not really survive without that every quarter.”

    (Credit: Daily Sabah)

    The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, released a statement on Monday expressing its concern.

    “At a time when Muslims around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan, often characterized by the festive nature of its Iftars, in Gaza, more than half the population depends on food aid from the international community,” said UNRWA.

    The UNRWA agency is almost entirely funded by voluntarily contributions.

    “We envisage that if World Food Program and UNRWA don’t get around $40 million by the end of May – beginning of June, they will not be able to order the pipeline,” said Jamie McGoldrick. “There is no alternative,” he said, describing the situation as “very, very serious”.

    “This is horrible to happen to Palestinian civilians, especially in the Holy month of Ramadan. I hope and pray they can find a way to get the $60 million by the end of May. This is inhumane and torture.” – Arianna R. LHS.

     

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