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The United States has partially reversed its decision to cut emergency food assistance to 14 nations, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Wednesday, confirming that aid will now continue to six of those countries.
Earlier this week, the WFP said Washington had informed the agency it would be halting emergency food support to 14 low-income and conflict-affected nations—a move the UN described as a “death sentence” for millions facing hunger and malnutrition.
However, despite growing concern and criticism, the US has decided to maintain food aid deliveries to Somalia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador, a WFP programme official told AFP.
Despite this partial reversal, eight countries will still lose vital assistance: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Yemen, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
The WFP warned that the consequences of these cuts will be devastating. “Hunger will deepen, millions of lives will be lost, entire regions will be destabilised,” the official said.
In Afghanistan alone, the agency said aid that currently supports two million people could be exhausted this year. Additionally, more than 400,000 women and children who rely on nutritional treatment may lose access to critical care.
“As hunger reaches record levels, continued support from the US is vital,” WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The WFP also expressed gratitude on X for the renewed commitment to provide aid to the six countries spared from the cuts.
Humanitarian funding from the United States has come under increased pressure in recent years. Under the Trump administration, USAID—the main US body responsible for foreign humanitarian assistance—saw its budget drastically reduced. Previously, it had an annual budget of $42.8 billion, accounting for 42 percent of all global humanitarian funding.
