World Food Programme to shut down Southern Africa office following Trump-era aid cuts

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is set to close its southern Africa office, a move prompted by cuts in foreign aid from the Trump administration. The closure, announced in a recent statement, will consolidate the WFP’s southern and eastern Africa operations into a single regional office located in Nairobi, Kenya.

A WFP spokesperson explained that while the agency had initiated a long-term plan in 2023 to streamline its structure, the increasingly constrained outlook for donor funding has forced the organization to accelerate its efforts. The agency emphasized that despite the office closure, its commitment to addressing hunger and serving vulnerable communities remains unchanged.

"Our commitment to serving vulnerable communities is as strong as ever, and WFP remains dedicated to ensuring that our operations are as effective and efficient as possible in meeting the needs of those facing hunger," the spokesperson said.

The specific impact of the USAid cuts on WFP's funding has not been disclosed, but the agency did confirm that it received $4.4 billion in assistance from the United States last year, which accounted for nearly half of its total budget. This amount is more than four times the contributions from Germany, the second-largest donor to the organization.

The Trump administration’s decision to reduce foreign aid is part of a broader policy shift, as last week it was announced that 90% of USAid’s foreign aid contracts would be terminated, citing concerns over whether the aid supported America’s national interests. This shift halts $60 billion in humanitarian spending worldwide, impacting numerous countries and organizations reliant on US funding.

Southern Africa, already struggling with its worst drought in decades, was heavily affected by the decision. Last year, the region faced severe crop destruction and a humanitarian crisis, with 27 million people at risk of hunger, according to WFP reports. Before the aid cuts, the WFP had issued a call for $147 million in donations to support the region’s needs.

Despite the closure of the Johannesburg office, the WFP remains committed to its mission of providing food assistance to over 150 million people in 120 countries. The organization, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, has been led by Americans since 1992, with Cindy McCain, the widow of the late US senator John McCain, currently serving as the executive director.

The impact of the US aid cuts has been felt across various UN agencies. While the WFP has provided clarity, other organizations, such as the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), have reported job cuts, with 3,000 positions tied to US resettlement programs eliminated. The UN’s family planning agency, UNFPA, has also estimated that some of its operations may be affected by the funding reductions.

As many UN agencies continue to assess the consequences of the aid cuts, there remains uncertainty over whether certain programs or projects will be exempt from the funding restrictions. Some hope that waivers may be granted to allow continued support, but the situation remains fluid as the international community navigates these challenges.