World Food Programme Warns of Imminent Hunger Crisis in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen Amid Funding Cuts
The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning that severe funding shortfalls are pushing food aid operations in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and other crisis-affected countries to the brink of collapse, risking famine for millions.
A recent WFP report titled “A Lifeline at Risk” reveals that unprecedented cuts are forcing ration reductions, suspension of food distributions, and complete aid withdrawal in six fragile regions: Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan, an article published on Arab News revealed.
WFP projects that 13.7 million people will fall into emergency hunger levels this year due to reduced funding. Ross Smith, WFP’s director of emergency preparedness and response, warned that entire vulnerable populations in six fragile regions are being cut off from aid, describing the situation as “a breaking point.”
Jean-Martin Bauer, director of food security and nutrition analysis, emphasized the unprecedented scale of the crisis, noting the organization is confronting two concurrent famines for the first time—in Sudan and Gaza. The number of people facing famine-like conditions has doubled in just two years. Currently, 1.4 million people across Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, and Yemen are classified at Phase 5—the worst level of food insecurity according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system.
Sudan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with WFP able to aid 4.1 million people in August but lacking resources to reach nearly double that number. In Yemen, ongoing conflict and funding gaps continue to exacerbate food insecurity. Afghanistan faces critical shortages, with less than 10% of its more than 10 million acutely food insecure receiving assistance; winter aid is expected to cover fewer than 8%.
South Sudan’s record flooding has displaced many, but funding cuts have forced WFP to scale down aid to only the most critical areas. Somalia has seen a 75% reduction in emergency food assistance compared to last year. In Haiti, funding shortfalls have halted hot meal programs for displaced communities and left the country vulnerable during the hurricane season.
Globally, 319 million people suffer from acute food insecurity, with 44 million at emergency hunger levels. WFP warns that without urgent donor intervention, assistance could decline by 40% this year, with further cuts possible in 2026, greatly increasing famine risks. Bauer cautioned, “Famine is not inevitable, but without action, it is becoming increasingly likely.”
