The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday that it had been notified by Washington of new budget cuts to emergency food aid in 14 countries, warning this could pose a “death sentence for thousands of people”.
The WFP, already facing a 40% cut in its funding for 2025, expressed great concern over recent notifications from the US administration regarding the termination of emergency food aid funding in 14 countries. The WFP did not specify which countries are affected in its statement on its X account.
"If implemented, this would represent a death sentence for millions of people facing severe hunger and famine," the agency warned.
"We are in contact with the US administration to seek clarification and to urge the continuation of support for these vital programmes," the WFP added.
These new cuts do not only impact the WFP.
On Friday, the US administration also informed the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) of the termination of two new programmes. One was involving $24 million for Afghanistan and another for Syria, according to the agency specialising in maternal and child health.
Announcements of cuts in international aid have increased in recent months, particularly from the United States, causing concern among NGOs and international organisations.
The administration of President Donald Trump eliminated 83%, amounting to "tens of billions of dollars", from the programmes of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID previously managed an annual budget of $42.8 billion, representing 42% of global humanitarian aid.
