BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The United Arab Emirates Red Crescent announced Monday that it would donate $817,000 to a UN food program in the Gaza Strip.

"Five years of access restrictions have brought many Gazan families to their knees. People are very dependent on our food programs," UNRWA commissioner general Filippo Grandi said.

"Securing funding for these programs is increasingly difficult, and so we are especially grateful to the UAERC for coming forward now with this timely donation," he added.

The donation will support some of the most vulnerable Palestine refugee families requiring assistance. Over the last five years, the UAERC contributed over $5 million for food aid, an UNRWA statement said.