GAZA, December 18, 2008 (WAFA)- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced, Thursday, that it will be forced to suspend food distribution starting today, and till further notice.

In a press release issued, Thursday, UNRWA said that the Agency has exhausted all stocks of flour in its warehouses, due to the ongoing crisis with irregular border access and the lack of wheat flour in Gaza. The press release added that wheat supplies scheduled to arrive in Gaza the 9-10 December were unable to enter, hence the mills have run out of flour and UNRWA has been forced to suspend food distribution.

Food distribution for both emergency and regular programs will be suspended starting Thursday December 18, until further notice.

All crossings for goods into the Strip are closed and no humanitarian supplies, fuel and other needed commodities are being allowed to enter. A total of 750,000 refugees out of a population of 1.5 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip depend on food assistance from UNRWA.

On average, the Agency distributes food to about 20,000 refugees per day. Once the supply of flour resumes, UNRWA will work as quickly as it can to clear the backlog and get back on schedule.