The United Nations World Food Programme has welcomed an $800 million contribution from the United States, providing a major boost to global humanitarian operations amid rising hunger and food insecurity worldwide.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed an $800 million contribution from the United States, a significant funding boost aimed at strengthening humanitarian operations and addressing rising levels of global hunger.
The agency announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, that the grant would support efforts to expand emergency assistance and improve its ability to respond rapidly to emerging humanitarian crises across multiple regions.
According to the WFP, the funding comes at a critical time as global hunger levels remain at historic highs and the number of people facing acute food insecurity is expected to increase further during the year.
The United States remains the WFP’s largest donor despite a significant reduction in its contributions in recent years.
Data released by the agency showed that U.S. funding to the WFP fell by more than half between 2024 and 2025, declining to approximately $2 billion.
The latest contribution is expected to help the organisation strengthen preparedness measures by pre-positioning food supplies, expanding cash-based assistance programmes, and maintaining vital humanitarian supply chains.
The WFP said the resources would be particularly important for supporting operations in crisis-affected countries and regions, including Lebanon, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that growing conflicts, economic instability, climate-related disasters, and displacement crises are placing unprecedented pressure on global food assistance programmes.
The United States has historically been the world’s largest provider of humanitarian aid, although funding levels have fluctuated in recent years as successive administrations reviewed foreign assistance priorities.
According to available figures, overall U.S. humanitarian funding to United Nations agencies fell sharply in 2025, dropping to approximately $3.38 billion from $14.1 billion recorded the previous year following substantial spending reductions.
The funding announcement comes shortly after the U.S. State Department disclosed an additional $218 million in humanitarian assistance to UNICEF, reflecting continued support for key international relief programmes.
Meanwhile, the WFP is currently operating under interim leadership as discussions continue over the appointment of a new executive head for the agency.
The leadership transition follows the resignation of Cindy McCain on health grounds.
The latest grant is expected to strengthen the WFP’s capacity to deliver life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations and support ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity in some of the world’s most fragile regions.
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