Game-Changer in Gaza as GHF Revolutionizes Gaza Aid Distribution

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the U.S. and Israel, unveiled a pioneering pilot program on Monday, August 18, 2025, enabling families in Gaza to pre-register for humanitarian food parcels, aiming to enhance fairness and accessibility. Launched on Sunday, August 17, at the SDS2 (Saudi Neighborhood) distribution site with 350 initial participants, the initiative is set to expand to additional GHF locations in the coming weeks, building on the delivery of over two million aid boxes, totaling nearly 127 million meals, across the region.

GHF Executive Director John Acree explained, “It has always been our plan to offer a way for families to reserve aid in advance and guarantee access, just as other aid organizations do. Until now, however, conditions on the ground have made implementation of such a program impossible. But with more aid flowing into Gaza and GHF’s deliveries helping stabilize food availability, conditions are improving. We are proud to take this step to deliver on the requests of the community and make distributions easier and more reliable for the people we serve.”

This move addresses previous inequities in the first-come, first-served approach, which often left women, children, the elderly, and disabled individuals at a disadvantage. GHF has tackled this through measures like women-only distribution days and community delivery networks, with the new reservation system marking a significant advancement. The process is voluntary and simple: trained local staff enroll participants, take photos, and issue ID cards with unique numbers, while an optional online profile allows additional household details. Reserved parcels ensure participants avoid long lines on designated days, reducing competition for resources.

For those not enrolled, aid remains available on a first-come, first-served basis, with all data securely stored and never shared externally. The system also boosts communication, providing households with updates on schedules and emergencies. Acree added, “This is real progress. It both demonstrates that GHF’s model is working and reflects our commitment to adapting to the needs of those we serve and delivering on President Trump’s call for innovation to get more humanitarian aid into the hands of the people who need it most in Gaza.” With plans for full rollout in the coming weeks, GHF aims to revolutionize aid distribution amid ongoing regional challenges since the October 7, 2023, conflict escalation.