By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) is closing its southern Africa office in Johannesburg following aid cuts from the Trump administration, a spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
Tomson Phiri stated in a statement that the WFP had initiated a multiyear plan to streamline its operations in 2023. However, as the donor funding outlook becomes more constrained, they have been compelled to accelerate these efforts.
The plan includes consolidating the southern and East Africa operations into a single regional office based in Nairobi, Kenya. Despite the closure of the southern Africa office, Phiri assured that food programs would continue.
“Our commitment to serving vulnerable communities is as strong as ever, and WFP remains committed to ensuring our operations are as effective and efficient as possible in meeting the needs of those facing hunger,” he wrote.
While the WFP did not disclose the exact funding lost from USAID, it noted that it received $4.4 billion in assistance from the United States last year, accounting for nearly half of its total annual budget.
This amount is more than four times the contributions from the second-largest donor, Germany.
Last week, the Trump administration announced the termination of 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts, stating that these funds did not align with America’s national interests. This decision halts approximately $60 billion in humanitarian spending worldwide.
The WFP’s announcement comes in the wake of a devastating drought in southern Africa last year, which destroyed crops and placed 27 million people at risk of hunger.
The agency had already issued a request for $147 million in donations to assist those in need prior to the U.S. foreign aid cuts.
The WFP provides food assistance to over 150 million people in 120 countries and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
Historically, its executive directors have been Americans, including current leader Cindy McCain, the widow of former U.S. Senator John McCain.