The World Food Programme (WFP) signed an international agreement with the Government of Japan on 24 August 2026 for a grant of JPY 500 million (approximately USD 3.1 million) to deliver lifesaving food and nutrition assistance to Palestinians facing severe food insecurity, according to a press release by WFP. The signing ceremony was held in Ramallah between Mr. ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and the Representative of Japan to Palestine, and Ms. Kate Newton, Deputy Country Director of WFP Palestine. It was presided over by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development of the Palestinian Authority. The contribution aims to address acute food insecurity among vulnerable families in Gaza and the West Bank. It will enable the purchase of wheat flour and Japanese canned fish to meet essential needs.
Vulnerable families in Gaza and the West Bank continue to face acute food insecurity due to conflict, the prevailing economic situation, and limited access to diverse and nutritious food commodities. More than ten months into the ceasefire in Gaza, people’s access to food as well as the affordability and nutritional value of commodities entering the territory remain critically at risk. In the West Bank, an increasingly volatile situation is pushing families into crisis. Widespread violence and an economic downturn have left a third of families unable to afford a nutritious diet. The new grant responds directly to these conditions.
The Japanese contribution will serve the essential food and nutrition needs of over 170,000 people. It provides a vital lifeline to the most vulnerable and contributes to improving their food security. The assistance package combines wheat flour with Japanese canned fish, offering both a staple food and a source of protein. Delivery will be carried out through WFP’s operational structures in Palestine. The support targets communities across both Gaza and the West Bank.
“With the shrinking space for residences and production activities, including fishing in the sea, a majority of Palestinians in Gaza have not recovered the production and continue to depend on external support of staple food and much needed source of protein to cope with food insecurity,” said Mr. Araike, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs.
He noted that residents in the West Bank face equally severe conditions due to military operations, displacement, and movement restrictions. Ms. Newton stated, “We are deeply grateful to the people and Government of Japan for their steadfast support to Palestinians, in their hour of need.” She described the contribution as a powerful expression of solidarity with people affected by conflict, violence, and economic hardship. She also stressed the need for humanitarian assistance to reach people safely, consistently, and on time.
This latest grant brings Japan’s cumulative contribution to WFP’s response in Palestine since 2023 to approximately USD 69 million. The figure underscores Japan’s strong commitment to humanitarian action. It also reflects a deep understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable communities in the region. The partnership between Japan and WFP continues to focus on protecting progress made against hunger. The assistance will be delivered to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank through WFP operations.