The U.S. has resumed in-kind food assistance to the World Food Programme, facilitating vital food purchases for crisis-affected regions
WFP’s efforts support millions in hunger hotspots, including Sudan, South Sudan, Gaza, and Haiti, while also addressing sustainable development in countries like Rwanda
To meet escalating humanitarian needs in 2025, WFP requires US$16.9 billion to assist 123 million vulnerable people globally
Harare- The United States has rescinded its pause on in-kind food assistance to the World Food Programme (WFP), allowing for the resumption of food purchases and deliveries under existing USAID agreements.
With this resumption, WFP will continue collaborating with NGO partners to distribute emergency food assistance to hunger hotspots in regions such as Sudan, South Sudan, Gaza, Haiti, and other crisis-affected areas.
The funding, provided through Title II, enables WFP to purchase food from U.S. farmers, thereby supporting American agriculture while saving lives globally.
"WFP continues to work closely with U.S. counterparts and all our donors to ensure consistent, uninterrupted emergency food assistance to those who need it most," the organization stated.
Beyond immediate food assistance, WFP's impact extends to sustainable development efforts. In Rwanda, WFP's ecosystem restoration initiatives have transformed harvests and improved livelihoods for local communities. Dancille, a farmer from Rwanda, shared how WFP’s support increased her harvest from 3 tons to an impressive 157 tons per acre.
Africa significantly benefits from WFP and USAID's food assistance programs. Over US$12 million has been allocated to support countries in Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, to mitigate the effects of drought and El Niño.
In addressing global hunger, WFP plays a vital role.
In 2023, the organization was funded entirely by voluntary donations, totaling US$8.3 billion, and provided assistance to 152 million people.
However, the outlook for 2025 appears increasingly dire, with escalating conflicts and climate-related shocks expected to drive humanitarian needs to unprecedented levels. Millions will struggle to feed their families amid these challenges.
Despite soaring global humanitarian needs, funding has not kept pace, forcing WFP to scale back assistance and focus on the most severe needs. Humanitarian access is also becoming increasingly restricted due to ongoing conflicts.
To meet the humanitarian needs of 123 million vulnerable people in 2025, WFP requires US$16.9 billion, as detailed in its 2025 Global Outlook.
Food insecurity remains alarmingly high, with 343 million people estimated to be acutely food insecure across 74 countries nearly 200 million more than pre-pandemic levels.
Immediate life-saving assistance is crucial for 44.4 million people estimated to be in Emergency or worse levels of acute food insecurity.
Conflict is a major driver of food insecurity, with 65 percent of those affected living in fragile or conflict-affected situations. Armed violence significantly contributes to crises in 14 out of 16 hunger hotspots where food insecurity is expected to worsen.
Recent and ongoing conflicts have pushed needs to catastrophic levels in Sudan, Gaza, Haiti, Mali, and South Sudan. Other critical hunger hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, the Horn of Africa, Lebanon, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen.
By mid-2024, the number of forcibly displaced people reached 122.6 million, doubling compared to a decade ago. WFP anticipates that its operational requirements for 2025 will be US$16.9 billion to assist 123 million people in need.
