Jobaaj Stories
Severe Funding Shortfall Forces Major Aid Cut
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to suspend life-saving nutrition support for 650,000 women and children in Ethiopia. The agency says it doesn’t have enough money to continue feeding those most at risk of malnutrition.
WFP officials say they urgently need more funds to keep operations going. Without new donations, millions more could lose access to food aid in the coming months.
Over 10 Million in Need as Crisis Grows
Ethiopia is facing one of the worst hunger crises in recent years. More than 10 million people are struggling to get enough food. The WFP had planned to support two million women and children across the country in 2025, but financial shortfalls are forcing a cutback.
The agency warns that up to 3.6 million people could be impacted soon if funding doesn’t come through.
WFP at ‘Breaking Point’ Without Urgent Support
Zlatan Milisic, WFP’s Country Director in Ethiopia, says the situation is becoming critical.
“Our resources have reached a breaking point,” he said. “We are doing everything possible to stretch what we have, but the gap is too wide.”
WFP reports it needs $222 million to continue food and nutrition support in Ethiopia between April and September 2025. Without that funding, aid programs may have to stop altogether.
Ongoing Conflicts Make Things Worse
Much of the hunger crisis is linked to recent conflicts. A two-year civil war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region left about one million people displaced. Even though that war ended in 2022, fighting continues in other parts of the country, especially in the Amhara and Oromia regions.
These conflicts have made it difficult for humanitarian workers to reach people in need. Roads are blocked, security is unstable, and communities are left cut off from help.
Drought and Refugee Crises Add More Pressure
On top of war, climate-related challenges like drought are making things worse—especially in the Somali region of Ethiopia, which is facing extreme water shortages.
The country is also seeing an increase in refugees arriving from Sudan and South Sudan, where violent conflicts have forced thousands to flee their homes. The WFP says up to one million refugees in Ethiopia could lose their food assistance by June if more funds aren’t secured.
A Call for Global Action
The WFP says the world must step in now to prevent a deeper humanitarian disaster. Donors, governments, and international partners are being urged to increase funding immediately so nutrition programs can restart.
“We are talking about saving lives. The longer we wait, the more children we risk losing to malnutrition,” WFP officials said.
