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The United Nations said Tuesday it had distributed food parcels to one million people in Gaza since the ceasefire, but warned it was still in a race to save lives.The UN's World Food Programme stressed all crossing points into the Gaza Strip should be opened to flood the famine-hit Palestinian territory with aid, adding that no reason was given why the northern crossings with Israel remained closed."Three and a half weeks into the ceasefire in Gaza, we have distributed food parcels to around one million people across the Gaza Strip," said the WFP's Middle East spokeswoman Abeer Etefa."That's part of the broad operation to push back hunger in Gaza," she told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Cairo.WFP aims to reach 1.6 million people in the territory with parcels, which provide enough food for a family for 10 days.However, to get operations running at the level required, "we really need more access, more border crossings to be opened and more access to key roads inside Gaza," said Etefa.The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10.Etefa described how the WFP was scaling up operations in Gaza and opened 44 of the 145 food distribution points it hopes to run.An estimated 700,000 people are now receiving fresh bread daily, supplied through 17 WFP-supported bakeries: nine in south and central Gaza, and eight in the north.The agency is hoping to get 25 up and running.Etefa said while food consumption levels had increased slightly thanks to the humanitarian aid and commercial trucks now allowed to enter, they remained well below pre-conflict levels.Furthermore, at this stage, households are still eating mostly cereals and pulses, with meat, eggs, vegetables and fruit being consumed "extremely rarely".Nour Hammad, WFP's spokeswoman in Gaza, said commercial food prices were still beyond the reach of most families, saying an apple now costs as much as a kilogramme of apples did before the war broke out in October 2023.The WFP said it had only been able to bring in roughly half of what was required to meet the food needs of people in Gaza."The needs are overwhelming," said Etefa, adding: "We are in a race to save lives."She said WFP trucks were still only coming through the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings, severely limiting the amount of aid that can enter Gaza, and posing a major obstacle to getting aid to the north."We actually haven't been given clear answers on why the northern crossing points are still closed," she said.

El-Fasher taken by paramilitary force late last monthFood supplies had been cut off during long siegeUN-backed monitor first confirmed famine in Darfur last yearA global hunger monitor on Monday confirmed famine conditions in El-Fasher, the Sudanese city taken by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after a lengthy siege, as well as Kadugli, another besieged city in Sudan's south. The finding is the first time the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has determined that the cities are in famine, though in December it had confirmed famine in camps for displaced people in El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur.A war that began two-and-a-half years ago between the RSF and the Sudanese army has caused severe hunger and malnutrition to spread across Sudan, as well as displacing millions of people and triggering waves of ethnically charged violence in Darfur. The IPC is the internationally recognised standard for measuring the severity of hunger crises, and its findings have provoked criticism from Sudan's government, which is backed by the army.The IPC's first determination of famine during the conflict was for the Zamzam displacement camp south of El-Fasher in August 2024. El-Fasher was subject to RSF assaults and besieged for about 18 months before it fell late last month, deepening a geographical split in Sudan. During the siege, residents said food supplies were cut off, forcing people to eat animal feed and sometimes animal hides. Places where people gathered for community kitchen meals were targeted by drone attacks, they told Reuters.As a result, all children arriving in the nearby town of Tawila after fleeing El-Fasher were malnourished, MSF project coordinator Sylvain Pennicaud told Reuters on Monday, while adults arrived emaciated. International Criminal Court prosecutors said on Monday they were collecting evidence of alleged mass killings and rapes after El-Fasher's fall. The head of the Red Cross said history was repeating itself in Darfur.Monday's IPC report, based on analysis for September 2025, said Tawila, as well as Mellit and Tawisha, two other destinations for people fleeing El-Fasher, were at risk of famine. The IPC said the overall number of Sudanese facing acute food insecurity declined by 6% to 21.2 million people - or 45% of the total population - due to gradual stabilisation and improved access in central Sudan, where the Sudanese army took control at the start of the year.However, the situation deteriorated in the Darfur and Kordofan regions as fighting concentrated there, depriving people of livelihoods, increasing prices, and driving displacement, IPC said. Global aid cuts and bureaucratic impediments hobbling the ability of the United Nations and other aid agencies to provide food and other services have increased the humanitarian challenge in Sudan.Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan state, has been under siege by the RSF-allied SPLM-N armed group, though hunger has been spreading there since the start of the war.The wider Kordofan region has increasingly become a focus of the war as it lies between RSF-dominated Darfur and the rest of the country, where the army holds sway. The IPC said the nearby city al-Dalanj could also be in famine, but a lack of data prevented a determination. On Monday, a Red Crescent official said three volunteers in a city in North Kordofan state that was taken over by the RSF, who were shown being beaten in a video clip, were later killed.The RSF has denied responsibility for alleged summary executions.

The State of Qatar has dispatched urgent relief and humanitarian aid to the city of Al Dabbah in the Northern State of the Republic of the Sudan, as part of its firm commitment to supporting the Sudanese people, particularly amid the difficult humanitarian conditions faced by civilians, including severe food shortages and an increasing need for shelter and essential supplies.**media[376433]**The aid includes approximately 3,000 food baskets, 1,650 shelter tents, and other essential items, provided by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Qatar Charity, to support displaced persons from the city of Al-Fashir and nearby areas.The assistance is expected to benefit more than 50,000 people and includes the establishment of a special camp for Qatari aid under the name “Qatar Al-Khair.”This initiative comes as part of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to stand by the people of Sudan and alleviate their suffering caused by the armed conflict.It also reflects Qatar’s leading humanitarian role in strengthening global response efforts and fostering solidarity with affected communities around the world.**media[376432]**

Qatar has officially joined the Global Alliance for Food Safety for the period 2025 to 2027.The alliance brings together leading countries in the field of food safety and the World Health Organization's (WHO) collaborating centres, with the aim of enhancing coordination, knowledge exchange and integration of efforts in implementing the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030.The network focuses on monitoring food-borne diseases and detecting food contamination.The announcement of Qatar's accession was made during the participation of the Ministry of Public Health in the Alliance's annual meeting, which was recently held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.The meeting brought together representatives from more than 40 countries and around 90 participants from regional and international organizations collaborating with the World Health Organization, as well as national institutions, research centres and academic bodies.The meeting served as a vital international platform to review achievements, share experiences, and define future priorities and steps, including opportunities for cooperation and resource mobilisation to support national and regional programmes.During the meeting, it was also announced that a group of specialists from the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health would join four working groups covering various areas to support the alliance's programmes and enhance the exchange of expertise among member states.Director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health Wasan Abdulla al-Baker stated, "Our participation in the Alliance's annual meeting represents an opportunity to strengthen international co-operation and exchange expertise and best practices in the field of food safety"."It also enables us to contribute effectively to accelerating the implementation of the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030, enhance Qatar's global role in the field of food safety, broaden its vision within the international community and increase its impact in promoting global food safety standards," she added.Qatar's accession to the alliance reflects the country's commitment to actively contributing to international efforts to enhance food safety through the development of partnerships and capacity building among member states.This will help to strengthen national capabilities, achieve the goals of the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030 and reduce the health risks posed by food-borne diseases at both national and international levels.

Katara Cultural Village hosted on Tuesday an event on Malaysia’s flavours and food culture. It showcased a cornucopia of traditional dishes, musical performances, and high-profile presentations, reflecting the diverse ingredients and environments that have shaped Malaysian culture throughout history. Addressing the event, Malaysian ambassador Mohammad Faizal Razali, said that the food culture in Malaysia is a mirror of its identity and cultural diversity. The Malaysian cuisine, he said, weaves together flavours and traditions that embody the spirit of unity and coexistence within the community. Razali highlighted that this event commemorates identity and heritage, as well as people-to-people cultural relations. He emphasised that Malaysian food is a component that brings people together and expresses national harmony as a key feature. The envoy called on the attendees to explore the splendor of Malaysia’s landscape and its diverse culture, noting the collaboration with Katara and national institutions, a move that contributes to promoting cultural and humanitarian rapprochement between the two nations, elevating the exchange of creativity, hospitality, and tourism to new heights.

WFP says just two aid crossings are open and none to northIsrael says aid is entering in accordance with ceasefire planGazans store supplies for fear they will halt againThe UN World Food Programme said on Tuesday that supplies into Gaza were ramping up after the US-brokered ceasefire but were still far short of its daily target of 2,000 tons because only two crossings are open, and none to the famine-hit north of the enclave.Around 750 metric tons of food are now entering the Gaza Strip daily, according to the WFP, but this was still well below the scale of needs after two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas that has reduced much of Gaza to ruins."To be able to get to this scale-up, we have to use every border crossing point right now," WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa told a Geneva press briefing.She said only two of the Israeli-controlled crossings into Gaza were operational - Kerem Shalom in the south and Kissufim in the centre.The ceasefire plan brokered by US President Donald Trump envisages "full aid" being sent into Gaza. An Israeli security official said that humanitarian aid continues to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing and additional crossings in accordance with the plan, without naming them.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, with its reopening dependent on Hamas handing over bodies of deceased hostages.The UN children's agency spokesperson Ricardo Pires said on Tuesday the humanitarian response was still far below the required scale and called for all entry points to reopen.Some nutrition supplies for children and pregnant women have reached the north via the south, Etefa said, but far short of the level required. "We haven't had large-scale convoys into Gaza City or to the north of Gaza," she said, adding that WFP had not been granted permission to use the main north-south Salah al-Din road.Food supplies delivered so far are enough to feed around half a million people for two weeks, she said.Many Gazans were storing the food they are receiving because they are afraid that supplies might again dry up."They eat part of it, and they ration and keep some of the supplies for an emergency, because they are not very confident how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next," she said.

Convoys face challenges reaching north Gaza due to war damage, border road closuresFamine conditions persist in Gaza City area, massive aid influx needed, says UN'To turn the tide on this famine..., it is very important to get these openings,' WFP spokesperson saysThe UN said on Friday aid convoys were struggling to reach famine-hit areas of north Gaza due to war-damaged roads and the continued closure of key routes into the enclave's north despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.Around 560 metric tons of food had entered the Gaza Strip per day on average since the US-brokered halt to two years of devastating war but this was still well below the scale of need, according to the UN World Food Programme.With famine conditions in the Gaza City region, UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher said this week thousands of aid vehicles would have to enter weekly to tackle widespread malnutrition, homelessness and a collapse of infrastructure."We're still below what we need, but we're getting there... The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance," WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa told a news briefing in Geneva.But the WFP said it had not begun distributions in Gaza City, pointing to the continued closure of two border crossings, Zikim and Erez, with Israel in the north of the enclave where the humanitarian debacle is most acute."Access to Gaza City and northern Gaza is extremely challenging," Etefa said, saying the movement of convoys of wheat flour and ready-to-eat food parcels from the south of the territory was being hampered by broken or blocked roads."It is very important to have these openings in the north, this is where the famine took hold. To turn the tide on this famine..., it is very important to get these openings."Global medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) said many relief agencies had not fully returned to the north, where hospitals are barely functioning, leaving many Gaza civilians still unable to access regular care.Jacob Granger, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza, described the case of a Gaza City woman with a shrapnel wound suffered during the war who was unable to get to a medical facility to change her dressings for five days earlier this month. When she managed to see an MSF nurse and her dressing was unfolded, the wound was infected with worms and maggots, Granger said.Though small amounts of nutrition products have reached the north - the area of heaviest and most devastating fighting between Israel and Hamas - relief convoys were still unable to move significant quantities of food there.Around 950 trucks entered south and central Gaza on Thursday via the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings with Israel, the UN's humanitarian coordination agency said, citing figures from Israel's military aid agency COGAT presented to mediators.That followed around 715 trucks that rolled into Gaza on Wednesday, including 16 bearing fuel and gas, OCHA said.

Family Food Centre, Qatar’s oldest organised supermarket chain, has marked its 47th anniversary, celebrating over four decades of trust, value, and togetherness with the people of Qatar.Since opening its doors in 1978, Family Food Centre has grown from a single store into a household name, serving generations with a commitment to quality, variety, and exceptional customer care.To commemorate the milestone, Family Food Centre has launched a special ‘Shop & Win’ anniversary promotion, giving customers the chance to win one of three brand-new Jetour T2 SUVs.For every QR50 spent at any Family Food Centre or Family Mart branch, or when shopping online at www.family.qa, shoppers will receive an e-raffle coupon to enter the draw. The promotion will run from September 25 to December 24, 2025, with the grand draw taking place on December 25, 2025, at the Family Food Centre branch in Al Kheesa.In addition to the exciting giveaway, the anniversary season features exclusive promotions highlighting products from around the world and locally sourced favourites — a hallmark of Family Food Centre’s diverse and ever-growing range. Family Food Centre remains true to its founding promise: to bring families together through quality products, fair prices, and friendly service.Join the celebration at any of the Family Food Centre outlets in Al Kheesa, Al Rayyan, Al Nasr, Old Airport Road, or Family Mart at Doha Souq Mall, and be part of Qatar’s most trusted shopping tradition.Shoppers can also enjoy exclusive online promotions and home delivery through www.family.qa or the Family Qatar app, available on both iOS and Android.

The MIE–SPPU Institute of Higher Education, the offshore campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University in Doha, has announced the launch of Qatar’s first accredited university programme on Sustainable Food Systems.It is supported by Qatar Sustainability Week (an Earthna initiative), the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Sustainability led by Dr Cory Flynn, and Enbat Group, a statement said.The programme is led by Ghanim al-Sulaiti, a Qatari entrepreneur, sustainability advocate, and founder of Enbat Group.“This journey began with building businesses focused on healthy, sustainable food. But I realised that true change starts with education. This programme is about preparing students to be part of the solution — combining science, culture, and identity to design a more sustainable future,” al-Sulaiti said.The accredited curriculum covers: the scientific foundations of sustainable diets and their impact on chronic disease and public health; the environmental footprint of food production (water, land, emissions); the role of heritage, religion, and Gulf traditions as sources of sustainable wisdom; hands-on training in composting and zero-waste menus; and case studies with local and global relevance.The course goes beyond theory, giving students practical skills such as: creating recipes using local ingredients, reducing food waste in kitchens, designing solutions to cut the food sector’s carbon footprint, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.Dr Flynn, who teaches a sustainable food systems course at the University of Pittsburgh, lauded the Qatari initiative to launch a similar course 'on the other side of the world'.Earthna's head of partnerships and outreach Shireen Obeidat said the programme represents a powerful step forward. "By aligning with Qatar Sustainability Week and national goals, it ensures that students are not only learning about sustainable food systems, but actively shaping them for a better tomorrow."MIE-SPPU Doha president Yasir Nainar said the programme is the first step in inspiring students to shape a sustainable and innovative future.MIE-SPPU Doha's Department of Management Studies head Dr Sabiha Fazalbhoy, added: “This collaboration has given our students a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world insights."

The National Conference on Food Safety, which will start Monday is considered a pivotal milestone within national efforts to develop and strengthen the food system and ensure its safety, stressed Jaber Hassan al-Jaber, chairman of the Organising Committee of the Conference.He noted that the event reflects the integration of institutional roles to achieve a safe and sustainable food future, improve the quality of life, and raise public health standards. The National Conference on Food Safety will be held under the patronage of HE Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah, Minister of Municipality, and HE Mansour bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, from Sept 22-23. It will bring together several ministers, senior officials, decision-makers, and experts in health and food safety.Al-Jaber explained that the conference, organised in partnership between the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Public Health, is part of Qatar’s efforts to establish food safety as a cornerstone of Qatar National Vision 2030. He further stressed that it serves as a vital platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing best practices, strengthening Qatar’s position in the field of food security and safety. The conference will address seven main themes, including legislation and policies by reviewing national and international laws and regulations with emphasis on the draft food law and the Amiri decision to establish the authority; technology and innovation through showcasing the latest applications and programmes such as the electronic food control system and the smart inspection programme; risk management by discussing control systems based on risk assessment and management and the impact of climate change; scientific research and studies by highlighting the role of research in addressing food safety challenges; sustainability and food security by linking safety standards with sustainability concepts to ensure food security; emergency and food-borne disease management by presenting best practices for prevention and rapid response; and Qatar’s experience in the FIFA World Cup 2022 by highlighting the strict oversight that ensured the safety of food served during the tournament.Meanwhile, Khalid al-Sulaiti, deputy chairman of the Organising Committee and assistant director of the Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health, stressed that the National Conference on Food Safety is a significant national initiative reflecting Qatar’s commitment, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to establish a comprehensive food safety system. He explained that this commitment stems from the crucial role of food safety in protecting community health from food-related risks. He further noted that the conference will review the latest developments in the legislative and executive framework of food safety, including the new draft food law, the project to establish the General Food Safety Authority, and the launch of the electronic Watheq e-system for food control in line with international standards.

We are thrilled to announce the signing of our first-ever franchise agreement, a historic milestone in Junior’s journey from a homegrown Qatari brand to a leading regional player in the fast-food industry.This landmark partnership is with Venicia International Restaurants Management, led by the renowned entrepreneur and visionary leader, Mr. Abdullah Tareq Al Hasan, one of the most influential figures in the F&B and investment sectors in the region. With his proven expertise, business acumen, and forward-thinking strategy, we are confident this collaboration will lay the foundation for a highly successful expansion into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.The signing ceremony took place at our Doha headquarters, led by our CEO Mr. Abdulla Al Ansari, marking not just the signing of an agreement but the beginning of an ambitious chapter. Together, we aim to take the Junior’s – The New Love experience beyond borders and share our passion for exceptional food and outstanding service with customers across the region.This milestone is the start of an exciting expansion journey, and under the leadership of Mr. Abdulla Al Ansari and in partnership with Mr. Abdullah Tareq Al Hasan, we are setting the stage for new partnerships, broader market reach, and memorable dining experiences across the Middle East.Stay tuned as we continue to expand and bring The New Love experience closer to you!

The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that food aid currently reaching the Gaza Strip remains far from enough to avert widespread starvation.WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said in a press statement that the organization is now able to deliver about 100 aid trucks per day into Gaza, compared with 600 trucks daily during a two-month ceasefire that ended in mid-March.She stressed that this amount is not nearly sufficient to ensure people are adequately nourished and protected from starvation.McCain, who visited Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis this week - including a clinic supporting children and pregnant and lactating women - highlighted persistent challenges in delivering aid to vulnerable populations deeper inside Gaza."What we saw was utter devastation. "It was basically flattened, and we saw people who were very seriously hungry and malnourished," McCain said.She added that the visit underscored the urgent need for sustained access across the Strip to consistently provide essential food supplies.A report released Friday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) - a global hunger monitoring body - found that about 514,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, are already facing famine conditions in Gaza City and surrounding areas.The report also warned that famine could spread to the central and southern districts of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September.Israel dismissed the IPC report as "deeply flawed" and urged the body to retract it on Wednesday, reiterating its rejection of previous warnings as false and biased.