UN Warns Funding Cuts Could Lead to Hunger for 13.7 Million

The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) issued a stark warning on September 27, 2023, stating that significant funding cuts could push up to 13.7 million people currently receiving food aid into emergency levels of hunger, just one step away from famine. The organization highlighted that six critical operations in countries including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan are facing severe disruptions that will likely worsen by the end of the year.

According to the WFP’s report, the agency is experiencing a staggering 40 percent reduction in funding, with projections of $6.4 billion in 2024 compared to $9.8 billion in the previous year. The humanitarian system is under immense strain as partners withdraw from frontline locations, creating a significant gap in assistance.

The WFP did not specify which countries are affected, but referenced a report in *The Lancet* that discusses the detrimental impact of cuts to U.S. assistance. The reduction in foreign aid has been exacerbated by decisions made during former President Donald Trump‘s administration, which resulted in substantial declines in humanitarian operations globally.

Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director, stated, “The world is facing hunger issues on a scale never seen before—and the funds needed to help us respond are woefully insufficient.” She expressed concern that the lifeline for millions of people is disintegrating, putting countless lives at risk.

Impact on Food Aid Operations

The report reveals that only 600,000 people in the DRC will receive food aid this month, a drastic reduction from the planned 2.3 million. In Afghanistan, less than 10 percent of those in need are receiving assistance, despite alarming malnutrition rates. In South Sudan, funding constraints threaten costly airdrops in famine-risk areas, while families in Haiti are receiving only half of the WFP’s standard monthly rations.

Global hunger is reaching unprecedented levels, with 319 million people facing acute food insecurity, including 44 million classified as in emergency levels of hunger. Earlier this year, the UN formally declared a famine in Gaza. The WFP noted that the number of individuals categorized as “in famine or on the brink” has doubled in just two years, now reaching 1.4 million across five countries.

McCain emphasized that rising hunger levels not only threaten lives but also undermine regional stability and contribute to the displacement of communities. “We are at risk of losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger,” she said, underscoring the urgent need for increased funding to avert a crisis that could impact millions.