A primary school student in Zabul province, Afghanistan, eats fortified cookies provided by WFP. (Archive) UN: cuts in humanitarian funding will lead to hunger for millions of people Humanitarian assistance
Nearly 14 million people could face severe food shortages by the end of the year, the UN World Food Program (WFP) has warned. The reason is a sharp reduction in humanitarian funding. Six of the runway’s most important operations are at risk.
We are talking about aid programs in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, where there are already disruptions in the organization’s work, and the situation will only worsen.
“Every ration cut means a child goes to bed hungry, a mother refuses to eat, and a family loses the support they need to survive,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
Record Highs hunger
The current crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of record levels of global hunger: 319 million people worldwide face severe food insecurity, of whom 44 million are on the brink of famine. Full-scale famine has already been reported in Sudan and Gaza.
WFP will receive 40 percent less funding this year than last year: a projected budget of $6.4 billion versus $10 billion in 2024
“We risk losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger,” McCain said.
“Even hard-won gains – such as in the Sahel region, where 500,000 people have been lifted out of humanitarian aid dependence through integrated food support and sustainable development programs – can be reversed without the necessary funding,” she added.
At Risk – critical operations
Funding cuts could push 13.7 million people currently receiving food assistance into emergency situations, according to a new WFP report.
Afghanistan is running out of food receives less than 10 percent of those in need, despite rising rates of malnutrition.
In DR Congo, hunger has reached record levels: a quarter of the country’s population – 28 million people – are experiencing food shortages. This month it was planned to feed 2.3 million people, but due to a shortage of resources, only 600 thousand will receive help, and by February supplies may stop altogether.
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In Haiti, hot meal programs have already been stopped, and families are receiving only half standard monthly ration.
In Somalia, 2.2 million people received support last year, but in November only 350,000 people in need will receive support.
In South Sudan, WFP is now distributing reduced rations and stocking some food items inside the country are running out.
In Sudan, where civil war is raging, WFP provides assistance to 4 million people a month, but 25 million – half the country’s population – suffer from severe food shortages.
Shortages reserves
The organization notes that the cuts even affected preparatory measures. For the first time in nearly a decade, Haiti lacks emergency supplies for hurricane season, and Afghanistan has failed to pre-stock food supplies ahead of winter. forced displacement and could trigger broader social and economic disruption,” McCain warned.