With European Union support, WFP and the Ministry of Labour of Palestine help Palestinian workers from Gaza displaced in the West Bank

As already shown in the strong collaboration between WFP and the EU in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, both are committed to ensuring no one is left behind. WFP is providing crucial cash assistance to 3,805 workers from Gaza to help meet their immediate needs. Building on previous one-off payments made in January and September WFP distributed in October an additional 700 NIS (US$185 or approximately €165) per worker. This assistance is facilitated through one of the leading electronic payments operators in Palestine, ensuring displaced workers across the West Bank have easy and secure access to these funds. Over 90% of the workers have already collected their cash assistance.

"Workers from Gaza, currently stranded in the West Bank, find themselves in an extremely vulnerable position—separated from their families and without a source of income. In collaboration with our partners at the Ministry of Labour and the WFP, we are making this contribution to assist these Gazan workers in meeting some of their essential needs. The European Union has consistently provided humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable Palestinians, and this situation is no exception, particularly given the concerning developments we are witnessing in the West Bank, said the European Union Representative Alexandre Stutzman

This partnership with the Ministry of Labour is key to WFP’s broader strategy of strengthening national systems in crisis response. By collaborating with local authorities and international donors, WFP aims to bolster the resilience of vulnerable populations and ensure they have access to critical resources in times of emergencies.

Dr. Enas Attari, Minister of Labor of the Palestinian Authority, said: "These financial aid instalments complement the efforts of the Palestinian government, represented by the Ministry of Labor, in collaboration with partners and donors, to support Gazan workers present in the West Bank who were forcibly expelled from their workplaces inside the Green Line. The aim is to meet their essential needs that will be achieved through the labor directorates spread across the various governorates of the country in assisting the workers receive this aid".

As the war in Gaza continues, the increased violence and movement restrictions have severely disrupted both the economy and daily life in the West Bank, leading to devastating humanitarian consequences. WFP estimates the escalation of violence in the West Bank could push at least 600,000 people into food insecurity – a 42.1 percent increase since the conflict began. 

“Amid the ongoing conflict and shifting battlefronts, this EU-supported humanitarian assistance helps affected Palestinian families prioritize their basic needs and gives them access to food”, said Antoine Renard, WFP Representative and Country Director for Palestine. “Our partnership with the Ministry of Labour is crucial in ensuring displaced workers are not forgotten given the scale of the crisis. Together, we are making a tangible impact in the lives of those affected by conflict and displacement.”

The EU has been steadfast in their support to WFP’s emergency operations in Palestine, contributing approximately US$ 70 million (€66 million) since the outbreak of the current conflict. As one of WFP’s key donors, EU support plays a vital role in ensuring that essential aid reaches vulnerable populations in both Gaza and the West Bank.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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