Gaza food supply assessment, as of August 31, 2024

• An estimated 7,355-8,129 MT of humanitarian food assistance entered Gaza in August, compared to an estimated 8,294–9,167 MT in July. The breakdown of humanitarian food assistance by entry point in August is as follows: 2,758-3,048 MT through Kerem Shalom crossing; 4,597–5,081 MT through the Erez crossings; and 0 MT through Rafah and via air drops. Humanitarian assistance has trended downwards since April; the only exception was a slight increase in estimated MT approved for entry through Erez in August. To ensure consistency in estimates over time, FEWS NET has revised past months’ figures for UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Kerem Shalom and Rafah humanitarian food MT data to account for updated information on specific commodity pallet weights. These adjustments, reflected in the August report, offer the most accurate figures to date. Data availability and reliability have been significant factors behind the analytical approaches taken in this and previous reports.
• Data for commercial food entering Gaza in August is only available for Kerem Shalom from Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). An estimated 48,583–53,697 MT of commercial food is reported to have been approved for entry through the southern gate in August (see last bullet point). Data for commercial supplies via Erez is currently unavailable for August. Reported commercial food approved for entry by COGAT rose substantially in May and has remained high in all subsequent months. Continued reports of challenges in financial and physical access to markets, as well as some continued food availability challenges, however, indicate that increased commercial food does not necessarily equate to improved food access.
• Though a substantial amount of commercial food was reported to have been approved for entry via Erez in the north in July (an estimated 12,136 MT), market indicators available through market data collected by WFP indicated that food availability in markets remained low, with most food supplied by humanitarian assistance. WFP reported that prices remained significantly higher in northern markets compared to the rest of Gaza, and most households continued to reduce their food purchases, with the majority relying on humanitarian assistance.
• In August, markets were strained, with elevated prices, availability challenges, insecurity, and access constraints. Specifically, FEWS NET survey data reported significant constraints to market functioning based on low food availability, the security situation for accessing markets, and the duration households spent searching for or purchasing food. Markets remain volatile, with variations in reported prices between sources and significantly elevated prices compared to the pre-conflict period. The July Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflected a small price improvement compared to June, which could reflect improvements in supply. Data for Rafah, in particular, continue to be scarce following the evacuation of the area.
   
• In August, WFP price monitoring reported reductions in wheat flour prices in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah, as well as decreased rice prices in these governorates and Rafah. FEWS NET survey data provided additional insights into market functionality. The survey gathered responses from 355 households and 124 market actors across Gaza. Over half of respondents to FEWS NET’s survey in all governorates spend four hours or more each week trying to purchase/obtain food, and many households report challenges accessing markets.
• On September 8 as this report went to publication, UNRWA’s dashboard was updated with additional supply data for August, as well as for previous months, including commercial truck entries as reported to UNRWA. It is possible that the inclusion of these data will alter the estimated ranges for August and previous months, and therefore the currently reported commercial supply trends. However, these data require additional analysis and will therefore be incorporated into FEWS NET’s September Gaza Food Supply Report.

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