The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning: funding shortfalls are putting millions of vulnerable people at risk of severe hunger and famine across six critical countries.
Without immediate support, lifesaving assistance could be dramatically reduced, exacerbating food insecurity in already fragile regions.
Afghanistan: Winter Hunger Looms
Afghanistan is home to 9.5 million food-insecure people.
World Food Programme faces a $622 million funding gap over the next six months, threatening pipeline breaks as early as November.
Current projections indicate that only 8% of the winter humanitarian response target will be met.
If funding does not materialize, millions will endure extreme hunger throughout the harsh winter months.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Conflict Deepens Food Crisis
In the DRC, 28 million people—one in four—face food insecurity, including 10.3 million in conflict-affected eastern regions.
World Food Programme aimed to assist all 2.3 million people in IPC 4 this year, but only 1 million have received aid due to funding shortages.
Assistance is projected to fall to 600,000 people from October, with a total pipeline break anticipated in February 2026. The operation faces a $351.7 million funding shortfall.
Haiti: Funding Delays Affect Vulnerable Populations
Over 5.7 million people in Haiti are experiencing acute food insecurity.
Funding delays have forced World Food Programme to suspend hot meals for displaced families and reduce rations for emergency-level hunger cases.
With a $44 million shortfall, pipeline breaks in early 2026 could impact more than 300,000 people, disproportionately affecting women, children, and displaced populations.
Somalia: Assistance Halved
Somalia faces severe hunger for 4.4 million people.
Pipeline breaks starting in November will reduce emergency assistance to just 350,000 people, down from 1.1 million after initial cuts in April.
WFP requires $98.3 million over the next six months to stabilize support.
South Sudan: Severe Funding Constraints
South Sudan has 7.7 million acutely food-insecure people.
All 2.7 million receiving WFP aid currently get only 50–70% of their rations.
From October, food baskets will lack key items such as cereals, pulses, and nutrition products.
The country faces a $398.9 million funding gap.
Sudan: Famine Threat Intensifies
Sudan faces acute hunger for 25 million people, with famine confirmed in certain areas.
WFP currently assists 4.2 million people monthly but urgently needs $600 million to expand support to 8 million people per month and curb the spread of famine.
World Food Programme emphasizes that without immediate international support, millions of people across these six countries will face unprecedented hunger in the coming months.
Source: WFP
