Islamic Relief and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have joined forces in a coordinated effort to meet the needs of families in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has been facing relentless violence that has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction of vital infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools, roads, water facilities, and power plants. With children pushed into starvation and 1.9 million people forcefully displaced—surviving in the open air, unknowing whether they will live or die—the situation remains dire. The toll of this ongoing crisis is unimaginable, devastating, and worsening by the day.
Islamic Relief has been present and supporting the people of Gaza since 2007. However, the recent escalation of violence has intensified the urgency of the humanitarian crisis. Thousands of families have fled their homes, seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters where the risk of malnutrition and disease loom large.
In response to this urgent need, Islamic Relief has partnered with the UN World Food Programme (WFP). We are currently the largest NGO partner of WFP and are on a mission to cook daily hot and ready-to-eat meals for over 140,000 families living in shelters. Our teams have ensured that over 4 million hot meals have been cooked and distributed to those in desperate need since the recent escalation in violence. We aim to ensure that families have food to fill their bellies during this difficult time.
Islamic Relief and WFP have also facilitated the distribution of Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (LNS) to over 21,000 people, including young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. This supplement complements children’s diets by providing multiple micronutrients with a food base, energy, protein, and essential fatty acids. It is a critical intervention to address and prevent malnutrition before it becomes life-threatening.
Islamic Relief’s partnership with WFP demonstrates the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing humanitarian needs. There is so much more that needs to be done and that we still need to do, but we are better equipped knowing that we can rely on each other to support and alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, paving the way for a more hopeful future. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can reach more vulnerable people with life-saving aid in Gaza. Islamic Relief is pleased to be in partnership with an organisation that shares the same values as ours.