The United Nations' World Food Programme, which gets much of its funding from the United States, is closing its southern African bureau due to funding constraints, the agency said on Monday.
WFP gets nearly half of its donations in a typical year from the United States, which is slashing foreign aid contracts around the world as part of President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.
Regional spokesperson Tomson Phiri said that the agency would consolidate its eastern and southern African operations and run both from Nairobi.
He told Reuters it would not affect country operations in Southern Africa, where WFP is supporting millions of people affected by drought.
"The goal is to stretch every dollar and target maximum resources to our frontline teams," said Phiri.
He declined to comment on whether the decision was directly related to Trump's aid cuts, saying only that "the donor funding outlook has become more constrained".
Trump's administration is cutting more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development's foreign aid contracts and over $58 billion in overall U.S. assistance around the world.
Read next
00:35
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim government has dismissed a recent United Nations report on the country’s security, human rights, and economic situation, calling it inaccurate and misleading.
12:11
North Korea launched over 10 rockets from near Pyongyang on Thursday, prompting fresh concerns in the region.
09:04
Sudan Crisis
Our NewsHour presenter Guy Shone examined the rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, now two years into a brutal war that has pushed millions to the edge of survival.
01:00
Guterres urges restraint
The United Nations chief has voiced deep concern on Wednesday over the escalating military strikes between Israel and Iran, calling for immediate de-escalation and warning against further international involvement.
19:30
UN staff cuts
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development agency (UNCTAD) faces deep staffing cuts amid a global funding crisis, raising concerns about its ability to support developing nations navigating economic shocks like U.S. tariffs.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment