As-salamu alaykum - WFP warns donor cuts could push millions into emergency hunger
As-salamu alaykum. The UN’s World Food Programme says big funding cuts from top donors are making it much harder to help people in six countries, and almost 14 million more could fall into emergency levels of hunger - may Allah protect them. They say this year’s funding has never been so strained, with major reductions coming from the US (including cuts under the Trump administration) and other Western donors. WFP warns that about 13.7 million of its food aid recipients may face emergency hunger if funds keep shrinking.
The agency named Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan as facing “major disruptions.” Their executive director, Cindy McCain, said they’re watching a lifeline for millions disintegrate before our eyes. WFP expects about 40% less funding this year, leaving a projected budget of $6.4 billion after they had around $10 billion last year. That gap isn’t just numbers - it’s a gap between what needs to be done and what can actually be done, she said.
Global hunger is already at record levels: roughly 319 million people face acute food insecurity and about 44 million are at emergency levels. Famine has broken out in Gaza and Sudan, and in Afghanistan food assistance reaches less than 10% of those who don’t know where their next meal will come from. The US has given about $1.5 billion this year to WFP, down from nearly $4.5 billion last year, and other big donors have also cut back. Many UN agencies are making hard cuts to aid and staff because of reduced support, and the whole humanitarian community is feeling the impact - may Allah grant relief and inspire those who can to help.
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