GENEVA – The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) has issued a stark warning regarding the severe impact of funding reductions from its principal donors, which is severely affecting its operations across six countries. Alarmingly, nearly 14 million people are at risk of being pushed into emergency levels of hunger as a consequence of these cuts.

Traditionally one of the most well-funded arms of the United Nations, the WFP has revealed in a recent report that this year’s financial support is facing unprecedented challenges. The report attributes this strain primarily to significant cuts from the United States during the Trump administration and other major Western donors.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the report warns that 13.7 million individuals relying on food aid could face dire hunger emergencies due to these financial shortfalls. The countries most at risk of experiencing “major disruptions” in food aid are Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

“We are witnessing the unraveling of a critical lifeline for millions,” stated Executive Director Cindy McCain, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Facing a dramatic decrease in funding, the WFP anticipates receiving 40% less this year, which translates to a projected budget of $6.4 billion, a significant drop from the $10 billion it received the previous year.

“This is not just a funding gap – it’s a reality gap between what we need to do and what we can afford to do,” McCain said. “We are at risk of losing decades of progress in the fight against hunger.”

The Rome-based agency says global hunger is already at record levels, with 319 million people facing acute food insecurity — including 44 million at emergency levels. Famine has broken out in Gaza and Sudan.

In Afghanistan, food assistance is reaching less than 10% of people who are food insecure — meaning that they don’t know where their next meal will come from, the agency said.

WFP says it’s expecting about $1.5 billion from the United States this year, down from nearly $4.5 billion last year, while other top donors have also cut funding.

Many United Nations organizations, including the migration, health and refugee agencies, have announced sharp aid and staffing cuts this year because of reduced support from traditional big donors. The humanitarian aid community has also been affected by sharp cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID.