US food aid cuts could spell disaster for millions, warns UN
The UN World Food Programme warns that the US decision to halt food aid funding in 14 countries could have catastrophic consequences for millions of people.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed serious concerns about the United States' decision to halt emergency food aid funding in 14 countries. WFP notes that such action could mean a death sentence for millions of people struggling with extreme hunger and malnutrition.
WFP constantly contacts the US administration to seek explanations and appeals for continued support for critical rescue programmes. WFP's head, Cindy McCain, appealed to world leaders to consider the consequences of funding cuts. In her post on platform X, she noted that these cuts "will deepen hunger, fuel instability, and make the world far less safe."
Experts point out that countries such as Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Chad, Somalia, and Haiti are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of WFP funding cuts. These regions are already facing severe food insecurity and humanitarian crises, making them exceptionally susceptible to disruptions in aid delivery.
The current situation highlights the fragility of global humanitarian efforts and the catastrophic impact that funding cuts can have on the most vulnerable communities.
This was one of Donald Trump's first decisions
Halting foreign aid was one of Donald Trump's first decisions after being sworn in as president. In March this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration had closed 83 percent of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes and cancelled 5,000 contracts. Thousands of humanitarian aid workers also lost their jobs.
This effectively dismantled the agency that had been operating for 60 years, assessed Reuters.
