The World Food Program (WFP) announced on Tuesday a severe reduction in rations due to drastic cuts in funding, sounding the alarm that millions are on the brink of famine.
In a statement released by the United Nations-affiliated agency, the repercussions of these cuts could mean “an additional 24 million people facing acute hunger in the coming 12 months, marking a 50% increase from the current level.”
By the end of last July, WFP’s spokesperson, Abeer Atifa, conveyed to “Sky News Arabia Economy” the repercussions of ongoing global crises. Atifa highlighted that the WFP had to reduce humanitarian aid for about two million individuals in Syria and 200,000 in Palestine. Furthermore, around 120,000 refugees in Jordanian camps were informed of a one-third cut in their designated aid.
Atifa pointed out that the primary funding sources for the WFP are donor country governments, with the USA, Canada, and the European Union leading the way. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a global economic downturn, rising food prices, and inflation, has adversely affected these contributions.
She further elucidated that the program is currently grappling with an overall deficit exceeding 4 billion US dollars for its global operations.
Background: The WFP, established in 1961, has consistently worked towards eliminating hunger and malnutrition worldwide. However, recent global economic challenges, especially the pandemic’s effects, have strained its resources, impacting some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
