The Trump administration has taken a decisive step in ending financial support to several emergency programs run by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), which are essential in sustaining millions of people in need across countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and 11 others primarily plagued by conflict. The WFP, recognized as the largest food aid provider globally, has issued an urgent appeal via social media, asking the U.S. to reconsider these abrupt funding cuts. This news comes from multiple U.S. and U.N. officials, alongside associated documents.
According to these sources, the termination of funding affects crucial humanitarian operations carried out by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), threatening programs on the brink of facing severe underfunding. In a social media statement, WFP warned that these financial cuts could potentially result in dire consequences for countless individuals grappling with extreme hunger and starvation.
Efforts are being made by the agency to communicate with the Trump administration to resume financial backing to these essential life-saving initiatives. Historically, the U.S., along with other contributors, has been appreciated for its past support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously committed to excluding emergency food aid and other vital assistance programs from the broad reductions in U.S. foreign aid, a statement which seems now at odds with the latest developments. No immediate comments were available from the State Department.
The program terminations have been specified to be for the “convenience of the U.S. Government” under the directive of Jeremy Lewin, an influential figure in the Department of Government Efficiency, signaled for managing USAID program cuts. Countries severely impacted by these terminations include Syria, where approximately $230 million in contracts have been annulled. This includes a program valued at $111 million, aiming to supply daily food needs to 1.5 million Syrian citizens.
A mass termination operation has seen around 60 letters sent out over the past week to cease these initiatives. As reported by a United Nations official in the Middle East, financial assistance to WFP food programs across Yemen, a country facing catastrophic humanitarian circumstances, has been halted. This not only affects future aid but food supplies already shipped to distribution centers.
Elsewhere, programs in Lebanon and Jordan, vital for Syrian refugees, have also fallen victim to the cuts. In Somalia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and other regions, essential programs providing food, water, medical assistance, and shelter to conflict-displaced individuals have likewise faced termination. These steps are taken despite USAID officials indicating such programs were safeguarded.
Deep cuts of approximately $560 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan spell out the withdrawal of crucial services. These services ranged from emergency food supply, life-critical health care for babies, potable water solutions, and mental health services essential for survivors of violence. Moreover, funding was abruptly removed from a publicly backed education program for young Afghan women pursued due to Taliban-imposed educational restrictions for women.
The termination of support signifies an unprecedented threat to vulnerable populations, highlighting a global call to action. Relief groups state these food aid programs are integral to preventing mass migration, conflict, and extremism that resource scarcity perpetuates. The WFP Chief has termed these cuts as undermining global stability. Recently, around 1,000 programs survived the USAID cuts, though 5,000 were trimmed, adding surprise to the latest decisions.
There are allegations from the Trump administration accusing USAID of inefficiencies and leaning towards liberal agendas. The brief suspension of services at the al-Hol camp, housing potential Islamic State associates and families, following the aid freeze showcases the imminent security risks. However, speedy intervention mitigated these disruptions.
New documentation highlights contracts with organizations like Save the Children and the U.N. Population Fund were among those discontinued. These contracts were vital for providing mental health and other essential services within the al-Hol camp, leading to concerns about remaining support at the facility.
The United States had previously stood as a top donor for the WFP, contributing significantly to the total funding pool, stressing the global impacts of their withdrawal.