ROME, October 15, 2025 — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded an urgent alarm, warning that nearly 13.7 million people across six nations are on the brink of severe hunger due to drastic cuts in international humanitarian funding.
In its latest report released Wednesday, the UN agency said the most affected countries include Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan—regions already suffering from conflict, economic instability, and climate-related disasters.
Funding Crisis Threatens Global Food Security
According to the WFP, its financial situation has reached a critical low. The agency expects to receive 40% less funding in 2025, with its annual budget projected to drop from $10 billion in 2024 to $6.4 billion this year.
“WFP’s funding has never been more challenged,” the agency stated. “The gap between what we need to do and what we can afford to do has never been larger.”
The reduction in aid has been compounded by a sharp decline in U.S. foreign assistance under President Donald Trump’s administration, along with similar cuts from other donor nations struggling with domestic budget pressures.
The United States has traditionally been the largest contributor to WFP operations, supporting millions of vulnerable people in food-insecure regions. The recent rollback in support, coupled with broader global funding constraints, has left critical food aid pipelines under severe strain.
“A Lifeline at Risk” – Millions Could Slide Toward Famine
In a detailed assessment titled “A Lifeline at Risk,” the WFP warned that these aid reductions could push 13.7 million people from “crisis” to “emergency” hunger levels—just one step below famine on the internationally recognized five-phase hunger scale.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized that the world is facing a potential humanitarian regression of historic proportions.
“We are at risk of losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger,” McCain said. “It’s not just countries engulfed in major emergencies. Even regions like the Sahel, where 500,000 people have been lifted out of aid dependence, could slide backward without urgent intervention.”
Impact Across Vulnerable Nations
The ripple effects of the funding collapse are already visible:
- Afghanistan: Economic instability, conflict, and reduced aid have deepened food insecurity in rural and urban areas alike.
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Millions displaced by violence depend on WFP food assistance to survive.
- Haiti: Political turmoil and gang violence have paralyzed food supply chains, worsening urban hunger.
- Somalia and South Sudan: Recurrent droughts, flooding, and internal conflict continue to devastate harvests and livestock.
- Sudan: Civil strife has displaced millions, and WFP operations have been hindered by funding and access challenges.
Experts warn that the combination of conflict, climate shocks, and shrinking aid budgets could create a “perfect storm” of famine risk across multiple regions simultaneously.
A Global Appeal for Renewed Commitment
The WFP is appealing for urgent international support to close the growing funding gap. The agency stresses that preventive food aid is far less costly than emergency famine response, both economically and in terms of human lives.
McCain called for a “reawakening of global solidarity,” urging both governments and private donors to act swiftly.
“Every dollar cut from food aid translates to lives lost or futures stolen. We must not allow short-term politics or donor fatigue to reverse years of hard-won progress,” she warned.
Broader Context: Humanitarian Retrenchment Amid Global Crises
The global aid contraction comes at a time when humanitarian needs are at record highs. According to UN data, more than 330 million people worldwide now require assistance—driven by war, inflation, climate disasters, and pandemics.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 2025 funding appeals are only 45% met, marking one of the lowest fulfillment rates in decades.
This funding crisis has led to ration cuts, suspended operations, and halted development programs, especially in regions that rely heavily on external aid.
Consequences of Inaction
Analysts warn that unchecked hunger could fuel instability, mass migration, and conflict, particularly in fragile states. The WFP cautioned that children and women remain the most vulnerable to malnutrition, with rising cases of acute hunger being recorded in camps for displaced persons in Africa and Asia.
A case in point is the Lushagala camp in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, where Action Against Hunger (ACF) clinics are struggling to treat malnourished children amid dwindling resources.
“Without sustained funding, humanitarian agencies will be forced to make impossible choices about who eats and who doesn’t,” one aid worker said.
Looking Ahead
The WFP’s stark warning serves as a wake-up call to the international community. With 13.7 million people on the brink of catastrophe, the agency insists that reversing aid cuts and strengthening partnerships remain essential to prevent famine on a global scale.
As McCain concluded:
“This is not just about hunger — it’s about humanity. If we fail to act now, the world will pay a far greater price later.”
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