The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the closure of its Southern Africa bureau, citing severe funding constraints. This comes as the region grapples with a devastating drought.
The WFP, heavily reliant on the United States for nearly half of its budget, confirmed the shutdown on Monday. Funding cuts by the Trump administration have deeply affected the agency’s operations, particularly in regions facing urgent food crises.
Tomson Phiri, a WFP spokesperson, explained that the organization’s financial outlook had been significantly impacted by these reductions. Although the agency did not specify the exact losses from the cuts, Phiri acknowledged the constraints.
The United States has historically been the largest donor to the WFP, contributing $4.5 billion of the $9.8 billion budget last year. However, President Trump’s administration has slashed foreign aid, targeting programs that provide life-saving support to millions around the world.
The drought, exacerbated by an El Niño weather pattern, has forced countries such as Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia to declare national disasters. These nations are struggling with food shortages, further straining the WFP’s resources.
To mitigate the crisis, the WFP will consolidate operations for both Eastern and Southern Africa in Nairobi. Phiri emphasized that the closure would not disrupt ongoing country operations in the affected regions.
Despite these efforts, the agency was only able to raise a fraction of the funds needed for drought relief last year, further highlighting the dire situation. With funding at a critical low, the WFP is facing an increasingly difficult battle against hunger in Southern Africa.
