Latest news with #WFP
The Star
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
WFP faces 274-mln-USD funding shortfall for humanitarian aids in South Sudan
JUBA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday warned of a funding shortage hindering humanitarian efforts in South Sudan. Mary-Ellen McGroarty, country director for the WFP in South Sudan, said the agency is facing a 274 million U.S. dollar shortfall in funding for food aid to help vulnerable South Sudanese. "We are reducing the level of assistance. We are reducing the rations. In most of our programs now, we are only giving about 50 percent of what is required, except in those cases that are very high risk, at the risk of famine where we give a 70 percent ration," McGroarty told reporters in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. She said the WFP originally planned 750 million dollars in food aid for South Sudan this year, which was later revised to 630 million dollars, still leaving a shortfall of 274 million dollars to meet the target. McGroarty said the situation in the country is driven by the absence of livelihoods, poverty, floods, climate shocks, and ongoing conflict. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), over half of South Sudan's population is experiencing severe food insecurity. With clear signs of famine risk in specific areas and a widespread crisis elsewhere, the situation demands urgent, multi-sector humanitarian intervention to prevent further deterioration and loss of life, the WFP said.
Roya News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Trump administration to burn food meant for 1.5 million children
The Trump administration has ordered the destruction of nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food rather than sending it to starving populations abroad, according to a report by The Atlantic. The stockpile, enough to feed an estimated 1.5 million children for a week, is set to expire, with plans already in place to burn it in the coming weeks. The high-energy biscuits, purchased by USAID during the final months of the Biden administration at a cost of roughly USD 800,000, were intended for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. These rations are designed to meet the full nutritional needs of children under five in disaster or war zones and are often used by the World Food Programme (WFP) as an immediate measure to support displaced families. The biscuits were stored in a Dubai warehouse, awaiting distribution, but have been stuck there since January, when the Trump administration halted nearly all US foreign aid through an executive order. Career USAID staff repeatedly requested permission to ship the food before it spoiled, but according to two USAID employees, their memos went unanswered. Decision-making authority was placed in the hands of political appointees after the dismantling of USAID by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Initially, approval rested with Pete Marocco, a Trump-era official, and later with Jeremy Lewin, a young lawyer now overseeing both USAID and State Department aid operations. Neither provided authorization to move the food, aid workers said. The destruction order directly contradicts public assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told Congress in May that he would ensure food reached its intended recipients before expiring. By that time, however, the incineration order had already been signed. Taxpayers will now foot an additional USD 130,000 bill to destroy the biscuits. 'This is unprecedented,' said one longtime USAID worker, noting that typical food losses due to conflict or poor storage amount to only a few dozen tons a year. The loss comes as global hunger surges. The WFP has warned that 58 million people face extreme hunger this year, while in Afghanistan, only one in 10 people in urgent need receives food aid. According to one USAID employee's calculations, the biscuits slated for destruction could have fed every child facing acute food insecurity in Gaza for a full week. The biscuits are part of a wider backlog. USAID records show more than 60,000 metric tons of food remain stuck in warehouses worldwide, including 36,000 pounds of peas, oil, and cereal stored in Djibouti for Sudan and the Horn of Africa. With many supply-chain experts and humanitarian workers laid off, even food that has not yet expired risks meeting the same fate.
Al Mayadeen
a day ago
- Business
- Al Mayadeen
WFP reviews BCG ties after Gaza aid role sparks outrage: FT
The World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated a comprehensive review of its partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) following public backlash over the firm's undisclosed role in a controversial aid initiative linked to Gaza. The decision comes after the Financial Times (FT) revealed that BCG contributed to modeling the financial implications of relocating Palestinians from Gaza and supported the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an "Israel"- and US-backed body tasked with distributing aid in the war-ravaged enclave. GHF has drawn widespread criticism from humanitarian organizations and UN officials, particularly after reports emerged that hundreds of Palestinians were killed while attempting to access its aid distribution hubs. The WFP, which has worked with BCG since 2003, said it did not know of the firm's involvement in GHF until the media disclosures. In a statement to the FT, the agency expressed "shock and grave concerns," condemning BCG's "lack of transparency in not having informed us." "WFP is emphatic that the work of its partners aligns with our core values, mission, and policies," the agency said, adding, "Given these recent revelations, WFP has begun a comprehensive review of its work with BCG." In its response, BCG claimed that two partners involved in the Gaza-related work acted without proper authorization and were terminated in June. The controversy surrounding BCG is part of a larger wave of criticism of GHF, which has been described by the United Nations as a "fig leaf" for "Israel's" ongoing genocide. Numerous humanitarian organizations have refused to cooperate with GHF, citing concerns over its operational model and the safety of civilians attempting to access aid. According to the UN, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach GHF-operated centers, which are heavily guarded by Israeli forces and US private contractors. The UK Parliament's International Development Committee has requested that BCG clarify its activities in Gaza. Meanwhile, Save the Children suspended its partnership with the firm on June 13, shortly after BCG confirmed its involvement with GHF. Further controversy erupted after the FT reported that BCG had contributed to a financial reconstruction plan for Gaza. That plan reportedly included cost estimates for the "voluntary relocation" of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, an aspect that has drawn widespread condemnation as a potential blueprint for forced displacement. While BCG has pledged to forgo the $4 million it had planned to bill for its work with GHF, critics remain skeptical. Observers have pointed to the broader ethical implications of private firms shaping post-war reconstruction agendas in war zones, particularly without full transparency. Launched in May, the GHF reportedly oversees four aid distribution hubs in Gaza, while the enclave remains devastated by nearly two years of Israeli bombardment. The United Nations has warned that the entire population of 2.1 million is at imminent risk of famine, according to the FT.
Ammon
3 days ago
- Business
- Ammon
UK allocates additional £5.5 million for refugees in Jordan
Ammon News - The United Kingdom has announced a new contribution of £5.5 million (US$7.43 million) to support the United Nations World Food Program's (WFP) food assistance operations for refugees residing in camps and host communities across Jordan. In a statement on Sunday, WFP Jordan said this latest funding marks the UK's second allocation to the program this year, following a previous contribution of £4 million (US$5.16 million) that helped avert cuts in aid to thousands of vulnerable refugees. WFP Country Director and Resident Representative in Jordan Alberto Correa Mendes said the renewed UK support arrives at a critical juncture and underscores Britain's ongoing commitment to humanitarian assistance in the Kingdom. He noted that the funding will help sustain WFP's efforts to support the most vulnerable families amid severe funding constraints affecting WFP and other partners engaged in refugee assistance. Mendes highlighted that WFP still faces a funding gap of US$24 million to maintain reduced levels of monthly cash assistance through the end of this year and prevent further cuts to aid provided to refugees in camps and host communities. Currently, WFP provides cash assistance to 280,000 refugees in Jordan, primarily Syrians, to help them meet essential food needs. In July 2023, funding shortfalls forced the program to reduce monthly cash assistance from 23 Jordanian dinars to 15 Jordanian dinars per person, representing a one-third cut.
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Gazans Dying In Search Of Food, ‘Starkest Illustration' Of Their Desperation
' The fact that people are now dying every day trying to get food, I think is the starkest illustration of how desperate the situation is,' said Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director at the UN agency, briefing journalists on his fourth visit to the war-torn enclave. Earlier this year, food security experts reported that starvation is spreading in Gaza. The entire population, some two million people, is acutely food insecure and half a million are on the brink. 'If anything, it's much worse now,' said Mr. Skau, who was in Gaza City, Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis last week. Children going hungry Malnutrition is also surging. Some 90,000 children are in urgent need of treatment, according to UN child rights agency UNICEF. Today, one in three people goes hungry for days. Mr. Skau said he met many families who told him there are days when their children do not eat at all. 'But the days when they are eating it's often a hot soup they get from us with just a few lentils or a few pieces of pasta, so certainly not enough,' he said, adding that some mothers discourage their children from playing to conserve energy. The top official also addressed the widespread displacement in Gaza. In the past he met families who had been forced to flee two or three times, but now 'I meet families who have moved two or three times in the past 10 days,' and some who have been uprooted upwards of 20 times. Trickle of aid Meanwhile, outside of the recent 80-day aid blockade, humanitarian response 'has never been more constrained.' The amount of assistance humanitarians are able to bring into Gaza is 'just a fraction of what's needed,' at a time when a kilo of wheat flour costs $25. He added that the operating environment 'is just impossible.' Active military operations are occurring in roughly 85 per cent of Gaza's territory and teams 'get stuck waiting for clearances and at checkpoints, often spending between 15 to 20 hours straight in their armoured vehicles trying to escort our convoys.' Other obstacles include lack of fuel, spare parts for vehicles, and basic communications equipment. Engagement with Israel Mr. Skau said WFP have been actively engaging with the Israeli authorities over the past few weeks and 'there were commitments' around issues such as volumes of aid, faster humanitarian movements, and not having the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) present when convoys are moving. 'Now, obviously, the proof is in the pudding,' he said. 'We need now to see delivery and implementation on those commitments, and so far, we have not seen enough progress.' He noted that WFP were allowed to deliver aid through the north on Friday for the first time in several days, which was 'a key issue.' 'It's not only about getting enough volumes, but it's also to be able to get in through the north because in the north we are able to deliver in a more orderly way,' he said. He told journalists that ' there have been issues with armed elements interfering ' in the region, which is unacceptable, but stressed the importance of being able to deliver there 'because we think that is the way to also help bring down the levels of desperation and prices.' Ceasefire now Mr. Skau stated that the minor progress regarding commitments 'is not going to be enough to turn the tide of hunger,' underlining the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. During the ceasefire earlier this year, WFP facilitated the entry of more than 8,000 trucks into the enclave, opened 25 bakeries and hundreds of soup kitchens, and delivered food packages to more than 1.5 million people. The agency was also able to stock its warehouses, meaning operations could continue for roughly half of the 80-day blockade. 'We are ready to do that again,' said Mr. Skau. ' We have enough food on the borders to deliver to the entire population for some two months. But obviously we need that ceasefire, and we need conditions within that ceasefire.' Here, he stressed the need for a humanitarian protocol with a provision that allows for multiple routes and entry points into and inside Gaza – as well as a secure environment for delivery. Later, Mr. Skau was asked about the talks with Israel. 'I sense the recognition that conditions need to improve,' he said. ' It was also recognised that the UN has a key role to play,' he added. 'It was very clear in my engagement that they want the UN to continue to be the main track in delivery. 'And certainly should there be a ceasefire, the indications were that they would want us to be ready to scale up and do what we did last time when we on Day One were ready to bring 600 trucks into Gaza.'
