Funding Shortages Threaten Continued Aid to Gaza Amid Ceasefire
January 24, 2025
12:33 PM
Reading time: 4 minutes

As the Gaza ceasefire enters its crucial phase, the United Nations has raised concerns over funding shortages that may impact its ability to maintain critical aid flows to the region. The ongoing conflict, which has already claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, has left vast parts of the Strip in ruins. Hundreds of thousands of people are now homeless and reliant on outside aid for survival.
Since the ceasefire deal was struck on Sunday, the daily flow of humanitarian aid has surged, with deliveries reaching ten times the target set for the first seven weeks. UN data indicates that the initial targets of 600 trucks per day have already been surpassed. However, despite this progress, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for the West Bank and Gaza, Muhannad Hadi, has highlighted the critical issue of funding. "Funding is an issue," he said, stressing the importance of securing immediate financial support to sustain the aid efforts during the 42-day ceasefire period and beyond.
The UN is seeking a total of $4.1 billion for humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank this year, with nearly 90% of those funds designated for Gaza. Currently, however, the funding is at just 3.6% of the required amount. Despite the challenges, Hadi expressed optimism about the situation on the ground, noting improvements in security for aid convoys and a drastic reduction in looting, allowing for more efficient delivery of supplies.
In addition to the funding challenges, one of the remaining obstacles for aid workers is the difficulty of navigating the heavily damaged streets of Gaza, with many displaced Palestinians on the move. Hadi also warned that the situation could worsen once more people are allowed to return to northern Gaza in the coming days, which is part of the ceasefire arrangement.*