The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) issued an alarming report from Geneva, highlighting a dire funding crisis that threatens to push 13.7 million people into emergency hunger levels. The agency, traditionally the UN’s most-funded entity, faces a 40% reduction in contributions this year, dropping its budget to $6.4 billion from $10 billion in 2024. Executive Director Cindy McCain described the situation as a “reality gap,” driven largely by significant cuts from the United States under the Trump administration and other major Western donors, jeopardizing decades of progress in the global fight against hunger.

The funding shortfall is severely disrupting WFP operations in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, where millions rely on food aid. In Afghanistan, assistance now reaches less than 10% of the food-insecure population, leaving countless individuals uncertain of their next meal. The report underscores that global hunger has reached unprecedented levels, with 319 million people facing acute food insecurity, including 44 million at emergency thresholds. Famine conditions have already emerged in Gaza and Sudan, amplifying the urgency of the crisis.

The United States, WFP’s largest donor, is expected to provide only $1.5 billion in 2025, down from $4.5 billion the previous year, with other key donors also scaling back support. This financial strain extends beyond WFP, impacting UN agencies like those for migration, health, and refugees, which have announced significant aid and staffing cuts. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has similarly faced sharp reductions, further constraining the humanitarian sector’s capacity to respond to escalating global needs.

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McCain warned that the funding cuts threaten to unravel hard-won gains in combating hunger, stating, “We are watching the lifeline for millions of people disintegrate before our eyes.” The WFP is now prioritizing critical programs to sustain aid for the most vulnerable, but without urgent international action, the agency fears catastrophic consequences for millions, particularly in conflict-ridden regions. The global community faces a pivotal moment to restore funding and avert a deepening humanitarian disaster.

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