The sudden announcements of contract terminations from the USA's "efficiency agency" Doge earlier in the week would mean a catastrophe for millions in need, according to the UN agency World Food Programme (WFP). The USA is the largest financier of WFP and provided almost half of the 9.8 billion dollars in donations the agency received last year.
"If this is implemented, it could mean a death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation", wrote WFP on X on Monday.
However, much is unclear about how the planned cuts will look.
Some programs that were cut in other countries that were not intended to be cut have been rolled back and put in place, said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Tuesday US time, without informing which countries are concerned.
According to sources, at least six aid programs for assistance will be reinstated, reports news agency Reuters.
60 programs
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously said that life-saving aid should not be affected by major cuts. According to the terminations earlier in the week, contracts would be terminated with around 60 aid programs in the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America, and on several Pacific islands, according to the letters from Doge that the State Department is now partially withdrawing.
The USA and other donors have long seen efforts to alleviate humanitarian disasters as strategic work, beyond just saving lives. The idea has been that this kind of support can partly prevent, for example, mass migration, conflicts, and extremism caused by lack of resources.
Food for millions
The American stop – which was announced a few days ago – would affect, among other things, WFP's food program in war-torn Yemen, according to a UN employee.
In Syria, which is struggling with poverty and hunger after the long civil war and IS ravages, agreements worth around 230 million dollars were terminated. The largest of the affected programs, the Syria program, has delivered food to 1.5 million people daily.
Some programs in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe were also among those that would be affected, according to a UN employee. They have provided, among other things, food, water, healthcare, and protection for people displaced by war.
The UN's food program World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization and is represented in 120 countries and areas.
WFP collaborates with governments and other partners to stop hunger and malnutrition in the world.
A goal for 2025 is to collect 16.9 billion USA dollars, equivalent to nearly 170 billion kronor, to help 123 million people. All efforts are financed by voluntary contributions from countries, organizations, companies, and individuals.
The organization was established in 1961 and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
Source: WFP
