WFP Assistant Executive Director: Qatar Key Supporter of WFP, Our Partnership Continues to Grow -1-

With regards to the needs of the WFP to be able to reach and support the most vulnerable populations, Assistant Executive Director of the WFP Rania Dagash Kamara told QNA that in order to address all challenges, WFP requires several key resources and immediate action, to reach and support the most vulnerable populations effectively. First, consistent and increased funding is essential. WFP requires USD 18 billion globally to meet its 2024 targets, with USD 7.2 billion needed in the MENA region alone. Additionally, maintaining food supply chains despite logistical hurdles caused by conflict and climate disruptions. Improved access is paramount. In this context, the Assistant Executive Director of the United Nations WFP called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, ensure the protection of humanitarian workers, and uphold their commitment to facilitating the delivery of vital and life-saving aid. Pre-positioning of food supplies ahead of the rainy season is vital in many countries, but const raints on access have hindered this effort, leaving many communities at risk of starvation. Finally, enhancing local resilience through climate-smart agricultural programs and infrastructure improvements will help mitigate the long-term impacts of both conflict and climate change. Commenting on the world hunger, Kamara said that the global hunger situation in 2024 remains at crisis levels, with 309 million people in 71 countries experiencing acute food insecurity. This is driven by a combination of conflict, climate shocks, and economic crises. Among these, more than 37 million people are facing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4), while 1.3 million people are on the brink of famine (IPC Phase 5), particularly in conflict-ravaged areas like Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, and Mali. She continued by saying that the scale of the crisis is immense, with WFP facing significant operational challenges. For example, more than 27 million people across Southern Africa are food insecure as a devastating El Nino-induce d drought sweeps across the region, decimating crops and livelihoods. For millions, this marks the worst drought in a century. WFP is scaling-up to provide emergency food and nutrition support to 5.9 million people in the seven hardest hit countries until March 2025. However, massive funding shortfalls may jeopardise our ability to mount a response at scale. The Assistant Executive Director of the United Nations WFP added that Sudan represents one of the most severe challenges WFP faces today. The ongoing war has left over 25.6 million people more than half the population experiencing acute hunger, and floods are further complicating WFPs efforts to deliver life-saving aid. WFP has convoys on the road carrying food supplies for those affected in Sudan, yet these convoys have been slowed or rerouted due to washed-away bridges, muddy roads, and flooded riverbeds. Kamara pointed out that the conflict in Sudan has also triggered one of the largest displacement crises in the world, with over 10 million people fo rced from their homes and 2.3 million fleeing to neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. The crisis in Sudan highlights the broader challenges WFP faces globally, where conflicts, climate shocks, and funding shortages are pushing millions to the brink of famine. In South Sudan, heavy rains have displaced thousands and delayed critical food deliveries, while water-borne diseases like cholera pose further threats to malnourished populations. She remarked that despite these overwhelming needs, global humanitarian funding has dropped to pre-pandemic levels. To meet all assessed needs, WFP requires USD 18 billion in 2024 to assist 139 million people globally, but funding shortages have already forced WFP to make difficult choices, cutting food rations, reducing the number of people reached, and prioritizing only the most vulnerable. The gap between needs and available resources is widening, creating unprecedented challenges for WFP to maintain its life-saving operations. Source: Qatar News Agen cy