Humanitarian Funding Cuts Pushing Millions Into Hunger - WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning, projecting that nearly 14 million individuals could be plunged into severe hunger...

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning, projecting that nearly 14 million individuals could be plunged into severe hunger by the close of the year. This alarming forecast stems from significant reductions in humanitarian funding, which are critically impacting six of the WFP's most crucial operational areas.

Already, programs in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan are experiencing major disruptions, and the situation is expected to deteriorate further.

"Every ration cut means a child goes to bed hungry, a mother skips a meal, or a family loses the support they need to survive," stated WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, highlighting the devastating consequences of these funding shortfalls.

A Perfect Storm: Record Hunger Meets Reduced Budgets

This crisis unfolds against a backdrop of unprecedented global hunger levels. Currently, 319 million people worldwide are grappling with acute food insecurity, with 44 million facing emergency levels of need. Famine conditions have already been declared in Sudan and the Gaza Strip, exacerbating the already dire situation.

The WFP anticipates a 40 percent decrease in funding this year, resulting in a projected budget of $6.4 billion, a significant drop from the $10 billion allocated in 2024. This drastic reduction in resources threatens to undo years of progress in combating hunger.

"We are at risk of losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger," warned Ms. McCain. "Even hard-won gains in the Sahel region, where 500,000 people have been lifted out of aid dependence with integrated food assistance and resilience programmes, could soon be wiped out without continued support."

Critical Operations Under Threat

The repercussions of these funding cuts are far-reaching and potentially catastrophic. According to a recent WFP report, the reductions could push 13.7 million people who currently receive WFP food assistance from a state of crisis into emergency levels of hunger, representing a staggering one-third increase.

Here's a breakdown of the specific impacts on each of the affected regions:

• Afghanistan: "Dramatic reductions" have severely limited the reach of food assistance, with less than 10 percent of those in need currently receiving it, despite soaring malnutrition rates across the country.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): The DRC is grappling with record levels of hunger, with approximately 28 million people, or roughly a quarter of the population, facing food insecurity. The WFP had planned to provide food assistance to 2.3 million people this month, but this target has been drastically reduced to just 600,000. A complete disruption in the food pipeline is anticipated by February.
• Haiti: Hot meal programs have already been suspended, and families are receiving only half of the WFP's standard monthly rations. The situation is particularly precarious given the ongoing instability and vulnerability of the population.
• Somalia: Support in Somalia has been repeatedly downsized, from reaching 2.2 million people last year to a mere 350,000 in November. This drastic reduction leaves a vast number of vulnerable individuals without access to essential food assistance.
• South Sudan: All WFP food recipients in South Sudan are now receiving reduced rations, and some food items will be missing from October onwards as in-country stocks are depleted. This shortage will further exacerbate the already precarious food security situation in the country.
• Sudan: The WFP currently supports four million people each month in war-torn Sudan. However, a staggering 25 million people, representing half of the population, are facing acute food insecurity. The ongoing conflict and displacement have created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions.

Diminished Preparedness and a Call to Action

The funding cuts have also severely hampered the WFP's preparedness efforts. For the first time in nearly a decade, there are no contingency stocks available for the hurricane season in Haiti. Similarly, there has been no pre-positioning of food in Afghanistan in anticipation of the approaching winter, leaving communities vulnerable to the harsh conditions and potential food shortages.

Despite these challenges, the WFP remains committed to delivering food assistance to the world's hungriest populations. However, the agency emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.

"The devastating harm inflicted by cuts to food assistance not only threatens lives but also risks undermining stability, fuelling displacement, and stoking wider social and economic upheaval," warned Ms. McCain. "Swift and effective food assistance is a vital bulwark against chaos in nations already struggling to cope."