NewsUS food aid cuts threaten millions with starvation risks

US food aid cuts threaten millions with starvation risks

The UN World Food Programme warns that the US decision to halt food aid funding in 14 countries could have catastrophic consequences for millions.

Donald Trump froze international financial aid
Donald Trump froze international financial aid
Images source: © EPA, PAP | YURI GRIPAS / POOL

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. The WFP notes that such action "could mean a death sentence for millions of people struggling with extreme hunger and malnutrition."

The WFP emphasizes that it is in constant contact with the US administration to seek explanations and appeal for continued support for critical rescue programs. The 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 significantly 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 the 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 of this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration closed 83 percent of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs and canceled 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 the Reuters agency.

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