Johannesburg, South Africa – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the closure of its Southern Africa regional bureau due to severe funding constraints. The decision, which will take effect in the coming months, comes as the organization faces drastic cuts in global aid, particularly following reductions in U.S. foreign assistance under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy.
WFP officials stated that the closure is a difficult but necessary move, as financial shortfalls have made it increasingly challenging to sustain operations at the regional level. “We are experiencing one of the worst funding crises in WFP’s history. Unfortunately, this means scaling back operations, and our Southern Africa bureau is among the most affected,” said a senior WFP representative.
The Southern Africa region, which includes countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia, has long struggled with food insecurity, driven by climate change, droughts, and economic instability. WFP has played a critical role in providing emergency food aid and supporting long-term agricultural projects to improve resilience among vulnerable populations.
Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns that the bureau’s closure could worsen food insecurity in the region. The African Union and other international partners are calling for urgent financial interventions to ensure ongoing food aid programs are not disrupted.
Meanwhile, local governments in affected countries are exploring alternative funding sources and strategies to mitigate the impact of WFP’s withdrawal. The situation underscores the growing challenges faced by global humanitarian efforts in an era of shrinking international aid.
